Bichir Help

[Far2lively]

Hi people was just wondering if you can get smaller species of bichir which dont grow to enourmous sizes,and if it would be ok in the tank i have at the moment including the fish

Any ideas??

 

[Davo86]

is it for this tank > 160ltr Tropical Aquarium, Yellow Gourami, Firemouth Cichlid, Common Pleco, 3 Bronze Corydoras, Red Tailed Black Shark, Rainbow Snakehead, Paradise Fish, 2 Silver Dollars and a Reed Fish ???

If so then there are a few compatibility issues atm, with the rainbow snakehead and paradise fish needing coolwater, and the plec, reed fish and silver dollars all needing a bigger tank.

As far as compatibility goes though a Senegal should be ok with the tankmates, in a tank of that size

 

[Far2lively]

Really I thought the rainbow snakehead and the paradise fish needed warmer water, they have been in there for a good 2months and had no problems, I thought the tank size would be fine as its 4foot long but I think I'm goin to have to sell the pleco as they do get huge!!! And my local pet store said they would have it if I don't upgrade to a much larger tank

 

[Far2lively]

Also are you sure the senegal bichir won't eat any of the tank mates?? And where would I find one I haven't seen any in the local pet stores??

 

[Davo86]

There are no guarantees with bichirs as they are after all a predatory species, however provided the paradise fish and gourami aren't too small they should work well IMO
all the other tankmates should be fine, If you can find an albino senegal these tend to be shorter bodied and on average only reach around 6-7"

both the SDs and Reeds should really be kept in bigger numbers and would definitely benefit from a bigger tank as they mature

 

[Far2lively]

Thanks ill look in my local pet store and see if they stick any they look like a really nice fish, the gourami is around 4inchs and the paradise fish around 3 maby less, I have only just bought the reed fish and its around 18cm atm and seems to be gettin on quite well with all the others especially the snakehead.

 

[gasmask]

hi.
Regarding the Rainbow Snakehead, regardless of you thinking "it's getting on fine" it is not.
Bleheri is a sub-tropical species and demands cooler water.
Aside from the fact it will thrive in sub tropical water, and display amazing colors, normal tropical water is stressing it out which will lead to sickness.
Trust me I have bred Bleheri on numerous occasions.

 

[Far2lively]

So what sort of temp should I keep it at?? And why does it say on most websites ect that its should be kept from 20-28 degrees, I'm not saying your wrong just confused, at the moment its fins are really colourful and its body is a sandy colour with strips is this normal?? Will my tank mates be ok if I lowered the temp down to say 20 or 21 degrees?? Thanks

 

[gasmask]

So what sort of temp should I keep it at?? And why does it say on most websites ect that its should be kept from 20-28 degrees, I'm not saying your wrong just confused, at the moment its fins are really colourful and its body is a sandy colour with strips is this normal?? Will my tank mates be ok if I lowered the temp down to say 20 or 21 degrees?? Thanks

Sandy color with stripes???
That is not how a Channa Bleheri should look.

There is no need to be confused. You are reading wrong information online.
As I said I have kept many snakeheads and bred a few.
My "forte" was Channa Bleheri, and take my word for it, the temps I gave you are correct and VERY important.

Channa is a specialist fish and require specialist care.
Mainly being temperature, and the fact they should be kept in species only tanks.

Here are some pics of my Channa Bleheri that bred, being kept in CORRECT environment:

 

[Far2lively]

Wow they look amazing!!! How big are they?? Ill put up a pic of mine shortly to show you what my one looks like, does it change colour when it get older because mine is only a baby I think as its only 3inches maby slightly more, you seem like you know your stuff tbh, could I lower the temp of my tank to meet all the tank mates requirements without causing any harm?? To say 21degrees?? Or is that a bad idea and further more the snakehead is always hiding away and only comes out at night is this normal?? Sorry for all the questions I just want to get things right and I'm fairly new to fish keeping thanks

 

[gasmask]

21c would be Ok for a couple of summer months, but the rest of the year needs to be much lower.
My Bleheri look the way they do as they are kept in the proper conditions. (correct temp, no other tank mates, and well planted tank. (real or plastic plants doesn't matter)

They will only look anything like mine if kept in conditions I just stated.

 

[Far2lively]

I see so your only ment to put them with other channa bleheri?? The guy in my local store said they are community fish, shows how much they know, clearly shouldn't be working there giving out the wrong advice, looks like I'm gunna have to sell it

 

[gasmask]

Set up a new tank for it!

And yes, many LFS have real problems with good information, and Channa often stump all but the most dedicated LFS.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Here are some pics of my Channa Bleheri that bred, being kept in CORRECT environment:

WOW