Would like to add bichir to my 75 gal, need advice

[AngryRainbow]

I have a 75 gallon tank that currently only has 2 blood parrots and 1 bristlenose pleco. I would love to add bichir to the tank, but have no experience with them so am looking for advice.

I gather that I would be fine going with a Senegal bichir, if I go this route should I get multiple? Do they benefit from being around their own kind and if so how many should I go with? I think I would prefer to go with a single bichir, but if they benefit from company I will go with more.

My favorite bichir is the delhezi, would I be able to go with one of those or do they grow too large to be happy in a 75?

I've got tight fitting lids on the tank, there is room between the water line and lid for them to get air, I have PVC tubes and Rock piles to hide in, and I've got frozen krill and bloodworms, earthworms, and carnivore pellets on hand. Anything I'm missing beyond that?

 

[Rocksor]

They are not a shoaling fish so having 1 is fine. A delhezi would be fine in a 75 g.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I can confirm they do fine solitary and will do fine in a 75 as I have one in a 75.

 

[jaws7777]

Dels are great fish but take care not to overfeed. You'll most likely end up with a captive bread specimen which for the most part is known for gorging itself resulting in health issues

 

[AngryRainbow]

Thanks all for confirming a bichir can go in my tank! I have one more question, what size is typical for a captive bred delhezi to grow to? I've seen the answer being anywhere between 12-18". I understand there are always outliers, but just looking for a more refined average I guess.

 

[kno4te]

Thanks all for confirming a bichir can go in my tank! I have one more question, what size is typical for a captive bred delhezi to grow to? I've seen the answer being anywhere between 12-18". I understand there are always outliers, but just looking for a more refined average I guess.

10-12inches.

 

[AngryRainbow]

10-12inches.

Perfect, thank you!

 

[Rocksor]

Takes quite a few years to get there.

 

[rigby]

It took 16 months for my delhezi to grow from 5 inches to 11 inches. They’d be a perfect addition to the 75 gallon

 

[CrazyKoiCracker]

They do well alone as has been said. But I have three dels and they always hang out together. Polys tend to dog pile given the chance.