Bicher Question

[the420buzz]

Hey guys,
I'm new to the site, and new to keeping fish as well. I've got two tanks, a 5 gallon (closer to 6), and a 15 gallon. Nothing large unfortunately, although I would like to get a bigger one down the line.

I've just recently set the 15 gallon up after my friend giving it to me, and today I went to my LFS and picked up a couple new fish. I was originally going for a Black Ghost Knife Fish, but once I was in the store, I had spotted my other new buddy (the Bicher).

(the spoiler code wouldn't work so I changed it to links to the images)

http/img249.imageshack.us/img249/199/bicher4.jpg
Hello there, Bicher!
http/img249.imageshack.us/img249/5935/bicher3.jpg
Body shot

I am not too sure, however, which exact species it is, but I have a feeling it is a Senegal Bicher. That leads me to my question, could anyone confirm which species it is for me so I know I\'m looking at the right care-for notes?

And once that has been answered, could anyone tell me if they've had success keeping a Bicher and a BGK together? I'm aware I'll be needing a bigger tank, but for now, they're in what they're in. They seem to be getting along great so far. The BGK swims around doing his thing, and at times he'll be floating around the Bicher, even in front of his mouth, and the Bicher doesn't budge or seem to care.

In the 15 with the BGK and the Bicher, I've got a medium goldfish (a feeder goldfish from my friend that's grown) and a tiny baby green terror from my friends batch of babies, however he won't seem to eat and hasn't grown since I've had him, unlike the other two I have in my 5 gallon, which are growing very nicely. Whenever the goldfish is in the Bicher's sight, the Bicher starts to advance on him, causing the goldfish to scurry off and the Bicher to float back to the bottom, waiting for a next chance to strike. As horrible as it\'ll probably sound to some, I plan to leave the goldfish and ungrowing green terror baby in there for the Bicher's food, and possibly the BGK if he grows enough.

Here's a couple more picture's that'll give you an idea of my Bicher, BGK and tank. I also need to get some more ornaments/plants for it, as it only has gravel and a few ornaments right now. (By the way, I don't keep a light on it, it just makes pictures a lot easier.)

http/img15.imageshack.us/img15/6268/bicherandbgk1.jpg
Bicher\'s head poking through an ornament, BGK swimming to the left
http/img11.imageshack.us/img11/4803/bicher1.jpg
Bischer swimming
http/img31.imageshack.us/img31/3448/bicher2.jpg
More Swimming, BGK tail heading into ornament
http/img514.imageshack.us/img514/3572/bicherandbgk2.jpg
Bicher and BGK hanging out

Thanks for reading and to anyone who could answer my questions!

 

[minxfishy]

The tank is not large enough as you are well aware, the bichir requires a 50g tank minimum, a BGKF requires a 5ft, 100g+ tank or neither will reach their potential full size, in the case of a BGKF 18"+ and will become stunted as a result of being kept in such a small tank.

Yes it is a senegal Bichir, I have a senegal with a Ghost knife and they get on great, no problems at all, mine are in a 125g tank mind you and have plenty of space to stretch themselves and swim around. I advise you either return both or upgrade your tank within 2/3 months maximum to a large enough tank (minimum 5ft for the BGKF) for the sake and long term health of the fish.

 

[the420buzz]

Thank you very much for the answers, I appreciate it fully.

At this time, I definitely don't have the funds to be purchasing a new, large tank but believe me, it is near the very top of my to-do lists. I would love to be able to have them stretched out to their fullest potential.

One more question, if it isn't a problem. I know it's a bit weird to ask about a living thing, but I paid $12.88 for the bicher, would you consider that a fair price? The only reason I'm wondering is because the tank it was in, wasn't labeled for Bichers, and he/she was the only one in the tank. The first person I talked to, when I asked what type of fish it was, was going to charge me about $17, but when I was finished looking around and talked to a different person about purchasing it, the second guy said they usually go for about $12.88, and gave it to me for that. So I was kind of left wondering if I got a deal, or if the 1st person was just horribly off and/or trying to make more money. Thanks!

 

[Nick16]

i suggest in future you research the needs of fish before buying them, as now you are stuck, you either fork out £400+ ($800 dollars) for a large tank or you take the fish back and get tetras and small barbs.

 

[always4lora]

it is a fair price depending on size. theyre also known as the 'common bichir' . a larger tank is needed , the senegal will grow pretty fast , mines doubled in size in little over 3-4 months if you take back the black ghost knife fish you could squeeze the senegal in a 40galon tank by itself. although when it gets near its full size (up to 20inch but normally 10-15inch) it will require a larger tank .

 

[the420buzz]

i suggest in future you research the needs of fish before buying them, as now you are stuck, you either fork out £400+ ($800 dollars) for a large tank or you take the fish back and get tetras and small barbs.

The BGK I had researched a bit, I was aware they needed a big tank and eventually I plan to get one (he's only about 2 inches at the moment, maybe a tad bigger). The Bicher, however, I hadn't even read about or heard about beforehand. It was a spur of the moment purchase after noticing him, and being the only one of his kind there. I know now that doing that type of thing can turn out to be quite the bad decision, but for the time being I've taken quite the liking to the little guy. He's about 5 inches I'd say, probably a bit less. If they begin steadily growing though and I still cannot afford a tank to fit them, I plan to either find a new home for them or a temporary home until I am able to grab a large tank. I appreciate your concern for my fish, though.

@always4lora; Thanks for the suggestions. I'd just like to know that I won't be getting a bigger tank before I go and take them back.

 

[always4lora]

a 15gallon tank wouldnt last you very long if the bichir is 5inch already .

 

[mwood2]

Easiest thing is to return the fish, properly cycle your tanks and reseach what can be best kept in your tanks. If you looking for something attarctive and interesting to keep why not try Dwarf Puffers? They are hard to find but defently have personality. If you check the topic on how to properly cycle your tank you will have around a month to get the tank to the way you want and research your fish.

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=175355"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=175355[/URL]

Oh and as for the goldfish, you will need to rehome him to his own tank. A single goldfish requires a minimum of 20 gallon and 10 more gallons for each after that. Not only that but they require different temperatures then the rest of your fish or it will just shorten there life span significantly. Also the goldfish will pro bally grow to fast to be food. The green terror fry should also be returned to your friend since they need a fairly large tank just for 1 and using it as a food source while it works seems like a shame.

 

[indigoj]

15g is totally unsuitable for those fish.

The 5g is also unsuitable for the green terror fry - they will be stunted.

You need to return the fish until you have somewhere suitable to house them.

 

[Bichir10]

Yes, that is a senegal bichir, and as stated that tank is much much to small. I bought my bichir at about 2.5 - 3 inches and he was $8.00. As for the compatibility, yes a bichir and a BGK shud do fine together as long as they are reletivley close in size and the proper space is given. In order to house a BGK i wud recommend nothing smaller the a 5ft long tank.

Bichir info
http/badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile41.html

 

[the420buzz]

@Birchir10; Thats actually the page I was looking at, thanks for directing it to me again though as I couldn't find it again. Bookmarked now.

I'll let everyone know that I'm planning on returning them, as I don't think I'll be getting a large tank anytime soon after looking into it. I called my LFS and asked them if I'd be able to, told them why, and they were fine with exchanging them. So, either tomorrow or Friday (likely the latter), they'll be heading back. I kind of feel bad for the Bichir, though, as he was in a tank (a nice size tank, not sure of the size though) with a bunch of knife fish (not BGKs), and the whole time I was at the store he was swimming around the top of the tank, I hadn't seen him touch the bottom once - until I got home. Then I read up on them, finding out they're bottom feeders and like to relax on the bottom, I began to wonder if he had been irritated in the store's tank, with all the fish swimming around him perhaps forcing him to do the same. Either that, or he was having a good time, but regardless of which, he'll be headed back soon.

Any suggestions for my 15 gallon?

 

[indigoj]

yeah - move the GT fry into it!

 

[the420buzz]

Bicher and BGK are back at the LFS.

I'll be getting a 32g very soon from an old friend, alongside a smaller one (not sure of size yet), so the green terror babies will be headed into that once its set up.

As for my 15g, with the credit I got from the Bicher and BGK (14$, half price of both, jeez haha), it's now become platy heaven as I find they are awesome little guys, full of personality and color as well. I've moved the contents of my 5 gallon into my 15, and will be moving the GT babies once my 32g is set up, so that will make more space for the platties.

 

[indigoj]

Excellent Good on you for being responsible and taking them back

 

[the420buzz]

Thanks very much.

It's not that I wanted to keep them and purposely stunt their growth, but at the same time I had the urge to buy them for a reason - I really liked them. But at the end of the day, a guys got to do the right thing, for their good.

But I cannot go wrong with my platy tank (well, mostly). They're awesome fish, I'd suggest them to anyone. Keep an eye out for my post about my new 15g setup (with pics ), not quite sure where I'm supposed to post it yet but I'll figure it out.

EDIT: Figured out where to post it. Aquarium Forums > Member's Aquarium and Fish Pictures. Keep an eye out