The ideal bichir habitat...

[Keeper of the Ropes]

In a week I'm going to be moving and when I set the tanks back up, the fish are going to switch tanks. I'm going to use the 30 for the small bichirs, and I want to create the ideal bichir habitat. They'll have roomates, including two juvenile Leopard Leaf Fish, one mature ABK, and two ropefish. I'm not looking to cater to the other fish - I love my ropes but the others are my boyfriends fish and he won't let me get rid of them. So...

Substrate... sand? Or does it matter?
Plants... live or plastic, I can devote the time for live if needed. What species are best and how tall do I need? Plants to the surface of the water?
Hiding spots... I have Malaysia wood but I'd like to ditch it. Rocks? Another type of wood? I'd like to still be able to SEE the fish after I put up the hiding spots...
Filtration - these things have big **** so I'll need something powerful to get the debris up after they go



Sidenote... I'm going to use a 10g to breed convicts. My senegals LOVE feeders but I'm pretty uncomfortable feeding PetSmart rosies... so Imma make my own feeder fish

 

[is300zx]

An ideal habitat would be something bigger than 30 gallons. You have an ornate in there right? I hope you know they can grow to at aboutt 24" and will need a larger tank soon. Senegals would do ok for a while in a 30 gallon but they can also outgrow those as well especially since they're the most active bichirs and they usually like to swim around looking for food. As far as substrates goes, most people use sand. I like to use play sand from home depot since it's cheap. Plants would depend on your lighting. If you have low wattage lighting system some java fern, anubias, anacharis, and java moss would work. Rocks are ok as long as its not jagged or sharp. I make caves out of rocks I got from Lowes. Driftwood and pvc pipes make for good hiding places. Filtration for a 30 gallon tank, a hob like emperor bio wheel or even a canister filter would suffice.

 

[Keeper of the Ropes]

Actually, I am well aware of the estimated length of ropes/knives/bichirs as an adult - which is exactly why I purchased them. My boyfriend doesn't like the idea of me getting bigger tanks, so I got these guys for two reasons... One, I love them. Two, they'll get huge and then he HAS to let me get the 55 I want... and then later the 100g I want as they mature. I know it's a bit coniving and all female, but in the end I get what I want

How do I know what kind of lighting system I have??? Is that just the bulb I chose to use or does that also incorporate the hood of the tank?

Whats the easiest way to clean the play sand?

 

[is300zx]

LOL sounds like you got a good plan. For lighting, if your system just uses a regular flourescent lamp or incadesent lamp then I would consider it as low lighting. A better lighting would be something like a compact flourescent or halogen system. To clean the sand, just syphon out the debri using a phyton gravel cleaner. Sometimes I even use just regular silicon tubing to syphon out poop and uneaten food.

 

[beblondie]

BICHIR BIOTOPES
African River
West and Central Africa are full of rivers. Within each of these river systems are
numerous biotopes -- this description will focus on species found in slow-moving
sections and side streams.
WATER:
pH 6.9-7.2,
3-8 dH,
temp;75-81F (24-27 C)
TANK:
The tank should be furnished with wood for hiding places, and fine gravel or sand for a substrate.
The lighting should be muted, and the water should have a slight current.
PLANTS:
Bolbitis heudelotii , Anubias, Vallisneria, Eleocharis.

African Swamp
The waters support a variety of species and vigorous plant growth making it an ideal subject for a biotope aquarium.
Reedy plants line the shores of waterwaysWATER:
pH 7.2-7.8,
2-8 dH, 7
Temp:70-75F(21-24 C)
TANK:
The tank should have fine gravel, sand, or clay for a substrate.
Dense vegetation and floating plants help recreate the natural setting.
Use submerged wood to provide hiding places.
The lighting should be bright and the water should be clear.
PLANTS:
Bolbitis heudelotii, Ammannia, Marsilea, Eleocharis, Anubias, Nymphaea, Water
Lettuce

 

[Hakon]

BICHIR BIOTOPES
African River
West and Central Africa are full of rivers. Within each of these river systems are
numerous biotopes -- this description will focus on species found in slow-moving
sections and side streams.
WATER:
pH 6.9-7.2,
3-8 dH,
temp;75-81F (24-27 C)
TANK:
The tank should be furnished with wood for hiding places, and fine gravel or sand for a substrate.
The lighting should be muted, and the water should have a slight current.
PLANTS:
Bolbitis heudelotii , Anubias, Vallisneria, Eleocharis.

African Swamp
The waters support a variety of species and vigorous plant growth making it an ideal subject for a biotope aquarium.
Reedy plants line the shores of waterwaysWATER:
pH 7.2-7.8,
2-8 dH, 7
Temp:70-75F(21-24 C)
TANK:
The tank should have fine gravel, sand, or clay for a substrate.
Dense vegetation and floating plants help recreate the natural setting.
Use submerged wood to provide hiding places.
The lighting should be bright and the water should be clear.
PLANTS:
Bolbitis heudelotii, Ammannia, Marsilea, Eleocharis, Anubias, Nymphaea, Water
Lettuce

Here is the whole site: http://fish.mongabay.com/biotope.htm

 

[deangelo]

I dont really know what the perfect bichir habitat is, but based on what i know and read heres what i came up with...got 3 juvys in there an ornate, senegal and the biggest one being an endli at 5 "...hope this helps...

 

[Keeper of the Ropes]

Did black sand, water temp @ 77/78 ish, Anubias and some other plants. Installed a second filter - first one wasnt doing the work well enough. Decent current to it but not too much for the pair of angels living in the upper half of the tank. They love it!

 

[arlo]

that mongabay biotype website is tite. im not really into bichirs but they have a whole list of setups that could be used on a variety of fish. thanks for the post

 

[rasdbo]

Did black sand, water temp @ 77/78 ish, Anubias and some other plants. Installed a second filter - first one wasnt doing the work well enough. Decent current to it but not too much for the pair of angels living in the upper half of the tank. They love it!

now all u need is a 150-200gal tank to house your monster bichirs later on, my senegalese went from 4" to 8.5" in less then 5 months and my delhzi went from 5" to 8", and my ornate's went from 4-6" now at 8-9" all in the same amount of time

so start saving for a bigger tank, i am 125g will push for over 200g by new year