I'm New (I have questions too!)

[XxDr@g0nTamerxX]

Bichirs & 50 Gallon Tank

Hello All,

I visited my local PetSmart not too long ago, and I am quite fascinated with what they have (they call it a Dinosaur Eel, but I read its called a Senegal Bichir). I am seriously thinking about purchasing one of these serpent-like fish some time this year, and I just wanted to know information as far as what would be a nice sized tank for one? I've read sites saying anywhere from 30G-90G. I do indeed want the Senegal Bichir, which reach about 12". I am soon to purchase a 50G tank. I figured I would stay within the middle of the two sizes I have read about. I already have a 10G filled with small freashies (basically a few guppies, ghost shrimp, and some tetras) and yes, I am not considering placing them with the Bichir since I've read they will attempt to eat anything that can fit in its mouth. I suppose my questions are: 1) What type of gravel should be used? 2) I heard they need a few places they can hide, I was thinkin of a hallow driftwood log, about how big of one should I get? 3) I certainly dont want a 50G tank with only one fish (the Bichir) in it, what other community friendly fish (also take into consideration they'll have to be bigger than the Bichir's mouth, so I suppose 5" big at least) would suit the Bichir well? 4) I heard that they will eat "carnivor pellets" and live fish, what exactly is a "carnivor pellet" and would you recommend using them? 5) Is it true that with the upmost care, they can live quite lengthy lives {30-35 years I've read}?
Thank you all so much for entertaining my questions. I will have more questions about they 50G tank soon. Thank you again.

Shane, :dive:

 

[Persimmon]

Since you are asking about a specific fish, you might get a better response if you list that fish in the title...good luck with your tank!

 

[beblondie]

1) What type of gravel should be used?
A.I use fine crushed gravel it just a bit bigger than sand but it really is a personal preference thing
2) I heard they need a few places they can hide, I was thinkin of a hallow driftwood log, about how big of one should I get?
A.I use pvc pipe or just let them hide in the silk plants.P.senegalus are very active and really just need a place to get out of direct light.
3) I certainly dont want a 50G tank with only one fish (the Bichir) in it, what other community friendly fish (also take into consideration they'll have to be bigger than the Bichir's mouth, so I suppose 5" big at least) would suit the Bichir well?
A.Have a possible list you will need to reasearch specific sizes this is a general list
Tankmates
Below is a partial list of possible tankmates for the small to midsized bichirs species.Parameters I used are based on size, temperment and availabilty . And i believe is a good starting point for you to do further research before purchasing -Anne
CATFISH
Dusky Pimelodid-Pimelodus blochii
Giraffe Catfish-Auchenoglanis occidentalis
Dwarf giraffe Catfish-Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
Giant Whiptail Catfish-Sturisoma aureum
Synodontis alberti
Synodontis angelicus
Synodontis pleurops
Synodontis decorus
Synodontis eupterus
Synodontis notatus
Synodontis brichardi
Synodontis nigrita
Synodontis flavitaeniata
Synodontis soloni
Liver Catfish-Heteropneustes fossilis
Black Lancer-Bagrichthys hypselopterus
PLECOS
Bristlenose-Ancistrus dolichopterus
CHARACINS
Silver dollar-Metynnis argenteus
Distichodus notospilus-Distichodus notospilus
Congo tetra-Phenacogrammus interruptus
Black-Barred Myleus-Myleus schomburgki
Filament tetra-Bryconaethiop microstoma
EELS
Peacock Eel- Macrognathus aculeatus
CICHLIDS *(see note)
Dicus-Symphysodon discus
Angelfish-Pterophyllum ssp.
Two-Spot Cichlid-Cichlasoma bimaculatum
Tilapia joka-Tilapia joka
Oscar-Astronotus ocellatus
Severum-Cichlasoma severum
Kribensis- Pelvicachromis pulcher
Sparkling Earth Eater-Satanoperca acuticeps
Blue acara-Aequidens pulchrus
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Blood Parrot Cichlid-Hybrid no scientifc name
Blue-Eye Cichlid-Cichlasoma spilurum
Festivum-Mesonauta festivus
African Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara nyassae
Balzani's Earth Eater-Gymnogeophagus balzanii
Bandit Cichlid-Aequidens geayi
Blockhead Cichlid-Steatocranus casuarius
Callolepis Cichlid-Cichlasoma callolepis
Freiberg's Peacock Cichlid-Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
Keyhole Cichlid-Cleithracara maronii
Port Acara-Aequidens portalegrensis
Uaru- Uaru amphicanthiodes
LABYRINTH FISHES
Ctenopoma .acutirostre-Ctenopoma .acutirostre
Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus-Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
Ctenopoma kingsleyae-Ctenopoma kingsleyae
CYPRINIDS
Variegated Shark-Labeo variegatus
Bala Shark-Balantiocheilos melanopterus
Red-Finned Cigar Shark-Leptobarbus hoevenii
Red-linned torpedo barb-Puntius denisonii
Tinfoil Barb-Barbodes schwanefeldii
Chinese Algae Eater-Gyrinocheilus aymonieri
Clown Loach-Botia macracantha
MISC.
African mudfish-Phractolaemus ansorgei
Black Ghost Knifefish -Apteronotus albifrons
Elephantnose-Gnathonemus petersii
African butterfly-Pantondon bucholzi
African Knifefish-Xenomystus nigri
(*note :to avoid agression do not have breeding pairs )
4) I heard that they will eat "carnivor pellets" and live fish, what exactly is a "carnivor pellet" and would you recommend using them?Its a pellet for predatory fish there are
floating and sinking varieties,I use them a part of a varied diet along with frozen bloodworms,silversides and earthworms and such
5) Is it true that with the upmost care, they can live quite lengthy lives {30-35 years I've read}?
A. 30 years is probably the exception but 10-15 years is not uncommon
I hope this helps you out-Anne

 

[XxDr@g0nTamerxX]

Wow, thank you so very much for all of your help Anna. :bowing: Like I said, after I finish with all of the other fish research that could go along with Bichir's I will most likely have more questions.
Thank you so very much!

Shane,

 

[XxDr@g0nTamerxX]

I have another question. I've looked at most of the fish you've given me in the list above. About how many decent sized fish could I fit in a 50G without over crowding? Thank you!

Shane, :dive2:

 

[Brody]

My 135 used to be a bicher tank. The senegal's are plain, but swim the most. Just make sure you put big, non aggressive fish with it and you will be fine. I had a few eels, and a couple of catfish and they were fine. Of course I kept them full with live foods reguarly. Slip on that, and the smallest fish in the tank will dissapear. Mine seemed to prefer sand over gravel.

 

[XxDr@g0nTamerxX]

Thank you for the advice Brody. I will put the sand over gravel into practice when the time comes for me to get the Bichirs. I still need to know about (just a rough estimate would be fine) how many fish could fit in a 50G tank.

Shane,

 

[XxDr@g0nTamerxX]

I have another question. I read somewhere that Bichirs need minimal light, is this true? If so, how will it affect other tankmates? Or could I possibly put in a lighting system ment for a smaller tank to have minimal light? One more thing, sorry about all of the questions but, I also have taken a liking to various puffers. I've owned 3 dwarf puffers in the past, but I would like to know if there would be any kind I could put in the 50G with the Bichirs?
Thank you for all of your help!

Shane,

 

[patoloco]

Your questions are our life!

Let's go one by one.

Bichirs are almost blind, but also photosensitive. This means they can't see very well, but will normally hide when lights go on. They will eventually come out, but it's their natural response to strong light. You could try using low powwered bulbs. There are flourescent compat bulbs that gives you wuite light. The smaller I've gotten are 5W, and 2 of them would give a nice low light condition to a 50gl. tank. If you don't keepo plants, light is only for your viewing pleasure, so a low light will be fine for most fishes.

Puffers are normally agressive and might bother your bichir, and most of them belong to brackish water, although there are some freshwater species as well. Not sure, but a small dwarf puffer may end up as snack for a grown bichir, and since puffer are likely poisonous, you may have a lof of trouble there. Puffers are best in a species tank.

 

[XxDr@g0nTamerxX]

Ah, well alright then. Thank you for the help! Never mind about the puffers then. Oh well
Thanks again!

Shane,