Bichirs Pls Help

[giant19000]

size
name??
i prefer something smaller than 18inches and down more like a 16-14-12 inch and down pls help???
and also i was doin research and the ornate bichir gets 24 inch or longer and they have a 50gallon tank minimum size and the culvier gets 1foot long and needs a 90gall ??why if the ornate gets bigger??i dnt understand its confusing

 

[nmonks]

Polypterus senegalus is the all-around best species for beginners. It's very hardy and undemanding, and unlike most of the other bichirs, feeds primarily on invertebrates even when fully grown, so tends to get along fine with midwater fish of appropriate size. Maximum length in aquaria is about 30 cm, and something around 180 litres should be ample.

The species sold as Polypterus palmas -- though likely a complex of similar species -- is broadly similar though usually a more expensive and not as widely traded.

Cheers, Neale