what is a good beginner bichirs?

redtailfool

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Feb 17, 2005
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If you want a biotope setup, i would put mini ledges and caves made out
of rocks. Floating plants would be great to make them feel secure and not make
them jump out of the tank.
 

slavezer0

Feeder Fish
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May 20, 2005
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www.ahbcoe.tk
do you have a pic of your set-up?
what plant(s) can i add?
 

beblondie

In Loving Memory
Mar 31, 2005
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Bichirs tanks idealy should be low wide tanks(breeder tanks) work well with a minimum footprint of 36 x 18 inches and at least 13 inches tall for the smaller species and 72 x 24 x13 inches minimum for the larger species

Bichirs are low light loving fish as many are nocturnal and some dinural . The tank
needs a secure top or lid with any opening plugged as some species are escape
artists and others can jump well.The water level needs to be 2-3 inches below normal as bichirs need to breathe air from time to time. The substrate should be sand or finelycrushed gravel. driftwood with short bushy plants.attached or anchored under it. In general I find it hard to have live plants as bichirs tend to uproot them searching for food, floating plants are a good option though, One last point no sharp edges bichirs tend to move close to things and sharp edges remove slimecoat and can cause eye abrasions -Anne
 

redtailfool

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Feb 17, 2005
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Thanks for the information beblondie! I always try to put floating
plants ( even plastic) whenever i have aros or and bichir in a tank. It just calms
them down somewhat.
 

beblondie

In Loving Memory
Mar 31, 2005
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Its a glasscages 50 gallon long its 48x18x13 inches

Have some biotpoe info
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, 75-81 F (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.
FISH:
African tetras, Mormyrids, African tetras African Knifefish, African Butterfly fish,
Synodontis, Hemichromis, Pelvicachromis,

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 waterways
WATER:
pH 7.2-7.8, 2-8 dH, 70-75 F (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
FISH:
Mormyrids, African tetras, barbs, spiny eels, Haplochromines, Tilapia, Hemichromis, Synodontis, Clarias catfish.
In the neighboring floodplain, annual Killifish can be found. -Anne
 

beblondie

In Loving Memory
Mar 31, 2005
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Its a glasscages 50 gallon long its 48x18x13 inches same footprint as a 75 gallon just not as deep-Anne
 
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