Size of bicher for adding tankmates

[Cerbios]

Having shopped my (semi) local stores. I'm now debating when to add tank mates to join my sen-bichir. A store near me has some African butterfly's in, which is one of the species I intended to keep with my bichir. My concern is the butterflys are full grown about 4 inches long and my bichirs about 2" long. With the bichir going up to get breaths on occasion would the butterfly be a danger to him at that size? I've read they're mostly non aggressive but are opportunists with fairly big mouths for they're size.

On similar thinking, a few other questions.

1. when do you think its best to try to mix different bichir species: A delhezi with a sen for example? When they're small >4, or should grow out my sen and try to get a bigger delhezi later?

2. How big would a bichir have to be to be safe from a 5-6 inch African knife? Or, would the knife be of any threat to a bichir at all?

 

[bond007]

I would guess the butterfly would be fine, just make sure he's well fed and in a month or two the senegal will be the same size if not bigger. As far as the knife I don't know about africans but I have two 4" senegals and just ordered a 8" Royal Knife, should work because my 9" silver arowana doesn't mess with the bichirs. At first I thought bichers were bottom fish, but my senegals are all over the place all the time. Super cool fish!!!

 

[D-WALT]

i keep my 3 birchirs with a clown knife although the clown knife is only about 4"

 

[Cholly]

Clowns grow FAST. And they have voracious appetites(which is why they grow fast, lol). Be prepared to move or lose the bichirs.
My sen roams all over the tank too. I got him at just under 3" as a tankmate for my 5" ABK, the only time they've interacted at all is if they choose the same pellet. ABK's are pretty mellow as knife fish go, IME. As long as he's well fed, mine doesn't even show any interest in the feeder danios in the tank. On fasting day though...

 

[D-WALT]

ill move him soon everything is still small at the time so moving will probably be in a month or two!

 

[Cerbios]

Alright thanks: I'll probably pick up one of the butterfly's soon, though I may get a few dither fish in there to be safe. Again, those of you who have mixed bichirs how big where they when you put them together?


You were talking about how surprisingly active they were. My sen roams all over the place. He's one of the most inquisitive fish I've ever owned actually. So for every time I add something new, filter, driftwood, ect, he has come over to investigate it. When I added the sponge filter he played in the bubbles. When I added the driftwood he moved from piece to piece sitting on each one and searching them for caves.

 

[maxin76]

I have that same feeling my sen goes over to every new item and looks it over and goes swimming every where...