I'm New (I have questions too!)

Hi again, I've got a question about another fish that might be able to go with the Bichirs. I was searching the net, and I ran into another fish that I found interesting. So I researched it breifly. Do you possibly think a Horseface Loach might do alright with a couple of Bichirs? I suppose this goes into another question...how many Bichirs would do fine in a 50G tank?
Thanks again!

Shane, :cool:

PS..sorry, as soon as I posted this I remembered another fish I had a question about. How about Ropefish? Its basically the same question as the HfLoach.
 
Ropefish and bichirs belong to the same family. They are compatible mosto fo the times, and will also share their dietary needs.

www.polypterus.info has useful information about them.

I used to have ropefish, but they all died on me. They are escape artists, and unless you have a very tight hood on your tank, you will likely find your ropefish in the floor.

A 50 gallon tank will hold only 1 adult bichir. When young, bichirs will hang with others of the same species, but I've read that as they grow up, they become quarrelsome toward their own kind, so more space would be desirable. Remember that a senegalus bichir will grow to 12". The rope fish can grow up to 36", so you should be looking for a bigger tank if you want more than one.

I've found that gouramies are a nice addition to a bichir tank. Gou's are almost all the time swimming on top, and the bichir will be on the bottom most of the time, except when they dart to the surface to take air.
 
Oh, Alright then. Thank you so much for the headsup on the Ropefish. Thank you for the site too. I suppose I will not be getting the Ropefish then because I don't really have the space for anything bigger than a 50G tank. I will defiantly look into the type of fish that you told me about that can go with the Bichirs. It seems that I had another question for you, but alas...I cannot seem to remember what it was.
Thank you again for answering all of my questions, it is very much apprectiated.

Shane, :clap:

PS. I just remembered the question. What about the Horseface Loach? Would that be safe with the Bichir? Or would any Loach be okay with the Bichir? Thanks again!
 
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Horseface loaches like to hide a lot. You should provide them with sand substrate for them to borrow themselves.

These loaches are kinda pacific so they will not bother your bichir. The only problem I see is they will share the bottom and if the loach is too small the bichir might try to eat it. If you plan on this, get the loaches at least the same size of the bichir.
 
Alright, I will definatly keep size in mind. I just wante to tell you thank you so very much for all of your help Patoloco. You've helped me so much, and I appreciate it.

Shane,

PS, I was reading in the newbie sections, and I came across tank cycling. Is "tank cycling" something that should be done before any fish are put into the tank? What other things should I do before hand?
 
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Read up. There is plenty info around here about "cycling".

I kept a school of large clown loaches with my bichers. But they have to be big enough to not look like a meal.

My roommate brought home some little innocent looking green spotted puffers. In one night, those little guys bit off the back and side fins of 2 bichers. The senegal recovered, the palmas never regrew his completely. Be careful.
 
Ah, so I suppose that adds to the "Do NOT put puffers in with Bichirs" ideal. No problem there. If I ever want dwarf puffers again I'll have to buy a seperate tank for them. Thanks again Brody. :)

By the way, does anyone know where I could purchase some aquarium furniture for a 50G tank? I've looked around at Petco.com (they do not sell them that big apparently) and Petsmart.com (and I found one, but its way too big, and costs just about as much as the tank its self which would make it close to $200).

Thanks again everybody!

Shane,

PS, I'll definatly read up about what I should do before hand with the tank! :read:
 
When putting in new fish with the Bichir whenever that may be, in order for the Bichir to not eat them they need to be bigger that 5" right? Does this count for length AND width? Say the fish is long, but very slender. Should I trust it with the Bichir? Thanks for the help!

Shane, :D
 
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