Sengal Bichir questionn

[ACaland00]

Just a quick question Ive had my bichir for about 5 months now and he seems to be always hiding still never really swimming around... Also he barely has grown at all and ideas?

[fishcatch22]

Just sounds like normal Bichir behavior to me, they grow slowly and are noctural, so won;t be very active until the lights are turned off. His slow rate of growth may be affected by his diet; if your mostly feeding him something like feeder goldfish, he's going to be malnourished and grow very slowly. Things like high-quality pelleted food for carnivores and earthworms (whole or chopped) will help jumpstart his growth, if you aren't already feeding him high-quality foods. You could also test the water to see if he's stressed.

[mes1234]

I think I got lucky with mine. Mine looks exactly like your photo and he is out swimming with the rest of the fish. He is truly one of my favorite fish because of the fact that he is social. The brichardis do not like him much though, they always give him a nudge to get the hell out of their cave.

[joel.uejio]

I have 3 senegals and they are pretty active. The least active is one I got from a LFS that looks a little stunted -- the other two though are out swimming all the time.

As mentioned, it would be helpful to know some parameters:

What size tank?
What size is your bichir?
What tank-mates?
What diet?
What are your typical water params?
What plants / rocks / wood / etc. do you have in the tank?
What lighting do you use?

[IceH2O]

I have 3 senegals and they are pretty active. The least active is one I got from a LFS that looks a little stunted -- the other two though are out swimming all the time.

As mentioned, it would be helpful to know some parameters:

What size tank?
What size is your bichir?
What tank-mates?
What diet?
What are your typical water params?
What plants / rocks / wood / etc. do you have in the tank?
What lighting do you use?


Very helpful info.


I have to say my bichirs grew quickly the 1st year or so then slowed down. That yours hasn't grown is troublesome. Mine are also out during the day alot but the tank is planted and has lots of hiding places. The more secure the fish feels the more likely they will be out and about.

[ACaland00]

My tank is a 30 gallon tall
My bichir is about 5 or 6 inches but very skinny..
the tank mates are a catfish which i plan on taking out soon he's been causing issues, two rams, a non aggresive chiclid, a few barbs, 5 pencil tetras a sailfin molly and a swordtail.
i usually feed my rams and chiclid and bichir and catfish the sinking carnivore pellets they seem to eat those. other than that normal flakes. i have a nice tall cave and a log, fake plants but well planted, and i use just an aqua-glo for my light.

[fishcatch22]

Diet sounds fine, but he is going to outgrow that tank, and might be hiding because he feels crowded out by the other fish. Do you have a test kit to post water params? though if everything else in there is doing OK, its probably not the water.

[ACaland00]

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=c1403e9ef7&view=att&th=1272ab3797ac4a54&attid=0.1&disp=inline&zw

thats what the tank looks like at least..

[fishcatch22]

Something you don't need to log into gmail for? maybe hyperlink it?

Your tank doesn't sound OS without the Bichir (depending on the species of "non aggressive cichlid"), but he has almost outgrow that tank and probably feels crowded, you should get him his own tank, I would say about 40g breeder min.

[ACaland00]

sorry lol http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/streetglow/IMG00133-20100304-1439.jpg

[fishcatch22]

Yeah, you definetly need to move the Bichir, doesn't look like much room for a 6" Bichir due to the smaller floor space of the tall footprint. He'll probably become more active if you move him to properly sized tank for himself.

[ACaland00]

ahh dang lol thanks alot

[Michwol42795]

I would get him even a bigger tank than a 40 breeder, a 75 would be great.

[BondDouble08]

Just reading up on other bichir posts because I have the same question about mine growing so slow, but an off topic suggestion the ammoina tester you have on the aquarium is not sensitive at all. I had one with read 0ppm ammonia when I get it tested at the pet store the very same day and its .4-.5ppm!!!! So I would reccomend the api liquid test kit that comes in 2 bottles.

and make sure your bichir can reach the top of your tank for air! (sorry if I'm telling you facts you already know)

and that is a beautiful tank, I love the plants floating at the top, I might have to steal that from you for my own ; )

good luck with the fishkeeping!