What do you feed a bichir?

Feeding. The bichir is a carnivore, and very rarely eats dried foods. Therefore, a diet of frozen or live foods is recommended for larger fish, including shrimp, baitfish, mussels, and earthworms. Smaller specimens will also eat mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp.

Do bichir fish need air pump?

One lesser known fact about Bichirs is that unlike most fish they can breathe air! Specifically, they are facultative air-breathers, meaning when oxygen levels get low in their environment they can take gulps of atmospheric air. In aquaria water is typically well oxygenated enough that they don’t bother breathing air.

What fish can live with a bichir?

Bichir Tank Mates

• Oscar fish.
• Flowerhorn cichlids.
• African knife.
• Clown Loaches.
• Jack Dempsey fish.
• Silver Dollar fish.

Do Bichirs like hard water?

Hard, alkaline water is fine for Bichirs. They are not at all fussy.

How can you tell if a bichir is male or female?

Whilst the difference between males and females is slim – females are usually larger in size while males have wider and thicker anal and dorsal fins.

How fast do Bichirs grow?

It is unknown how fast a dinosaur bichir grows, but it grows between 2-3 cm longer each month until it reaches its natural size. The average size range of a bichir length 11.8-38.2 in (30-97 cm). The saddled bichir is the longest, while the Senegal bichir is the smallest species of the Polypteridae family.

Will Bichir eat snails?

Bichirs are predatory fish that prey on small fish, shrimps, crabs, snails, fish eggs, worms, and insects.

Do bichirs need a lid?

However, it is important to keep in mind that bichirs get very large and are excellent escape artists; this means that not only will you need a lid for your aquarium, but you also need to make sure there is a gap between the water surface and the tank lid as well so that your dinosaur bichirs can still breathe.

Do Bichir eat snails?

Do bichirs eat snails?

Is a Bichir an eel?

Bichirs have long eel-like bodies that will add a peculiar appearance to your tank. They are very popular in the aquarium trade for their truly unique look and their bright coloration.

Do Bichir fish need live live tank plants?

Live tank plants are desirable, but not necessary. Since bichirs is mostly a bottom-feeder, the tank bottom substrate should be easy in care and cleaning. It’s better be a thin layer of sand, though small grained gravel will do as well. But the latter is less natural like for the fish and it will be more difficult for the fish to feed from it.

How big of a tank does a bichir need?

The minimum recommended tank size for these fish is around 90 gallons for one. The size of these fish and their activity level means they need ample room so they can swim and feel comfortable. There are a lot of owners who have kept bichir in tanks as small as 40 gallons but we disagree with this approach.

What kind of water do you use for a bichir?

Water Type for Bichir You will need to maintain the quality of water too along with proper tank setting: Temperature, pH Level and Hardness Water Temperature should be between 72-82°F (22.2-27.7°C) with neutral pH 6.5-7.5.

When is the best time to feed a bichir fish?

Nighttime or early in the morning before their lights are off is a good choice. Trying to reprogram a fish away from their natural feeding behavior is an uphill battle. It’s better to work with them! In terms of their actual diet, this is where bichir care can get a little trickier than other fish.