Can you keep bichir with cichlid?

What is the lifespan of a bichir?

Lifespan of Bichir In nature, it lives up to 20 years, but, if you can provide them with accurate nutrition and healthy tank conditions, they can live up to 15-18 years in an aquarium. So, you must have the mentality to bear a long term responsibility as it lives for 18 years.

Is it hard to breed Bichir fish?

These fish are also very hard to sex. This leads to a lot of uncertainty during the buying process, but unless you’re trying to breed them this shouldn’t matter too much. The average bichir lifespan is usually 10-15 years in captivity.

Why is my Senegal bichir breeding in my Aquarium?

The Senegal bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is quite often bred in aquariums, and the addition of cooler water is suspected to trigger breeding in this species. It is reasonable to assume that a combination of water changes and temperature changes are key factors here.

How hard is it to breed a bichir?

The task of breeding bichirs is a highly demanding task which may sometimes take months of planning. Bichirs can also be highly aggressive towards new mates and can start fight each other. Their courtship dance is a long and elaborate series of twists and high speed dashes.

Can you breed Bichir in aquariums?

It is impossible to give any general guidelines for the breeding of all Bichir species in aquariums, since they are so different from each other. Some Bichir species have never been successfully bred in aquariums and we do not know what it takes to induce spawning for these fishes.

Do Senegal bichir have bad eyesight?

The Senegal Bichir also has very poor eyesight but this does not prevent them from exploring the aquarium as they have a very strong sense of smell, a few plants should be added along with some rocks or pieces of driftwood, adding hiding places will increase the confidence of the fish.

What triggers breeding in Senegal bichir?

Even with frequently bred Bichirs like the Polypterus delhezi, we are however rather unaware of the exact mechanisms behind the breeding and which factors that triggers breeding. The Senegal bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is quite often bred in aquariums, and the addition of cooler water is suspected to trigger breeding in this species.

How do Senegal bichir breed?

The Senegal bichir have breeding rituals that typically last for a day or longer. The male Bichir will chase the female, and he will also bump into her with his snout. The female will try to locate a suitable spawning site before she deposits any eggs, and you should therefore provide her with bushy plants before you try to induce breeding.

Is it possible to breed a bichir?

It is very difficult to breed bichirs, as it takes a lot of special care. You will need to keep the fish you wish to breed in soft water with a low acidity level. Keeping your fish in cooler water can help with encouraging breeding, but there are no guarantees.

Can Bichir fish breed in captivity?

Not much is known about breeding these fish in captivity. Generally, breeding Bichir is very difficult as different species require different water conditions, and these conditions are mostly unknown.

What do Senegal bichir eat?

This carnivore will eat anything it can capture, dead or alive. Offer them meaty foods such as prawns, small pieces of filleted fish or even the occasional meal of beef heart. Senegal bichir will also accept flakes, pellets, frozen and dried foods.

Can Senegal bichir fish be kept in groups?

Senegal Bichirs can be kept in groups in voluminous aquaria, but ensure that all specimens are of similar size and that there is a plethora of hiding places (allow several per fish) so they can form individual territories.

How do Senegal bichirs breathe?

Senegal Bichirs have the ability to breathe atmospheric air via their modified swim bladders (part of which functions as an accessory breathing organ to allow them to survive out of water for a time), so a small gap MUST be left between the surface of the water and the cover slides in order for the fish to come up to the surface and take air in.

How to breed a bichir?

The male Bichir will chase the female, and he will also bump into her with his snout. The female will try to locate a suitable spawning site before she deposits any eggs, and you should therefore provide her with bushy plants before you try to induce breeding.

How many eggs can a Senegal bichir lay?

Captive breeding is rare for the egg scattering Senegal bichir. The female can lay hundreds of eggs which should be removed from the breeding tank. Strangely enough it is the male that will scatter the eggs, during spawning he will take the eggs from the female using his anal and caudal fins.

What is the difference between a male and female Senegal bichir?

The male Senegal bichir has a broad anal fin when compared to the females. Females are also noticeably larger than the males. Captive breeding is rare for the egg scattering Senegal bichir. The female can lay hundreds of eggs which should be removed from the breeding tank.

What are Bichir fish?

Biologists have found that polypterus, common name “bichirs”, have many structures and features not seen in any other fishes alive today. This group is also a popular choice for aquariums with their prehistoric features, often being likened to dinosaurs, and for good reason.

Are Bichir fish good for aquariums?

In addition to their thriving populations in the wild, Bichirs are also bred in captivity and make a popular aquarium fish. If you want a flashy fish whose vibrant colors will brighten your tank’s interior, this freshwater fish breed is not for you. Bichirs are often dull colored in shades of brown, grey and black.

How hard is it to breed Bichir?

Generally, breeding Bichir is very difficult as different species require different water conditions, and these conditions are mostly unknown. Some species ( Polypterus delhezi and Polypterus senegalus) have been bred successfully, however not much is known about the conditions needed to induce spawning.

What size aquarium does a Senegal birchir need?

Since the Senegal Birchir reaches a fair size, they should have an aquarium no less than 20 gallons. The Swamp Dragon is one of the few fish that are appropriate for tall and hexagonal fish tanks because their primitive lung allows them to thrive in oxygen-deprived water.