Senegal Bichir Care Guide - Feeding, Care, Tank Set Up and Breeding Dinosaur Bichir Fish

[@crystalanncb3931]

Rescued 2 of them with a mixes array of fish today and I'm setting up their own tank for them. Good video, thanks for the info!

[@BlakesAquatics]

Good luck!

[@tanksfornothin]

I need me one of these. Just need space for a 6ft+ tank...

[@kylemendoza8860]

I call them that fish that nobody knows how to say. 😂

[@BlakesAquatics]

🤣

[@janellshah5087]

Hahaha for real too

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Great video on a really wonderful fish. Bit big for me but if I ever get one I'll come straight back to this video. Loads of good information about them.

[@BmgGunsAndStuff]

I’ve had one for going on about 3 yrs now got him when he was only 2 inches and he’s about 7-8 inches now.. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t reached 12 inches yet.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Hey all! Hope you thoroughly enjoy this care guide. Thanks so much to Josh for sending me his beautiful Bichir Handbook and for being such a great sounding board and resource. Highly recommend you check out his channel and consider picking up the book for yourself. To purchase The Bichir Handbook (Worldwide); thebichirhandbook.com/ (Josh has even activated code 'BLAKE15' to get 15% off for a limited time). Josh's Fish on KZbin; kzbin.info/door/9Dos7eP1P7Lue6riItYU1g Have a great day!

[@ShepsAquatics]

Very nice indeed. Love that Ben got in touch with you and the sponsorship.

[@FostaFunk]

Great video! 👍 And that book looks really neat gonna have to pick that up.

[@BlakesAquatics]

It really is! Cheers

[@andrewrobson8484]

Great format and well executed . Thanks for the info.

[@mumongtae1821]

This covers all of my concern :> I'm exited to have my own dinosaur

[@estebansanchez362]

Realmente aprecio este video que hiciste me ayudaste saber bien que debo y que no debo hacer con mi bichir, al principio pense que tendria problemas con el ph pero ahora piesno que mi unico problema es regular la temperatura de mi tanque

[@marlonwilliams2131]

I have my bichir and my Pleco living in the same tank and haven't had one problem just wanted to share! Great video by the way though a lot of great tips.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Hope that continues 👍 thank you

[@rebeccacameron7215]

They will do it at night mostly. You won't see it till its too late and even if they aren't killing then they're probably stressed

[@timothyturner9134]

My Pleco got killed from the bichir how is yours?

[@BodgieFromStraya]

First in! hahaha sooo awesome to see the little guys have settled in really well! love how suprisingly active they are and man that primitive look is amazing. Amazing care guide as well!

[@BlakesAquatics]

Cheers mate 👍

[@edstar81]

Great Care guide. Definitely cool looking fish

[@BlakesAquatics]

Thanks mate 🙏

[@gedGOD]

Such a cool creature. And that was very comprehensive 😊👍

[@BlakesAquatics]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@julienjulienfischer4993]

Love the Chanel man you have great content.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@kingcactiman4586]

Thank you so much.I'm being gonna get 2 for my birthday and I love these fish so much.Thanks for all the information🥰

[@sharpshooter_Aus]

I’m thinking of making this my centrepiece for my new 600L I love my reptiles so I think it would be a neat addition to my fish tanks too would look good near my snakes.

[@kylielynam3583]

Great vid Blake! Super exited as getting a tiger tomorrow. On some research the pleco thing was never brought up so that was some great additional info. I'm defs a pleco person so will have to have 1 tank without a pleco type. Good work!

[@pacificmixture]

I got a Delhezi and Senegal Albino.... So therapeutic

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

incredible fish

[@cheveburkinshaw860]

Congratulations 8k

[@mikeflo2089]

Yes ! I say it just like you

[@TripleJAquatics]

Great vid man!

[@aquamate]

Awesome care guide, as always kepp up the awesome work, they would probably do alright in a black out too haha

[@kennycasey2094]

Thank you for the knew knowledge much appreciated 🙏🙏🙏

[@survivorturnover]

criminally underrated gem

[@AMJolene]

You seem most knowledgeable about this fish of all KZbinrs I've watched. I just got an albino Senegal Bichir and I love him/her. It's tiny (only about 3") but I've noticed he swims at the top, kind of fast sometimes, and I'm wondering if it's trying to eat at the top? I want to make sure it's totally happy.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Most likely regulating oxygen / swim bladder. Cories do the same thing. Shouldnt be anything to worry about unless he starts to get floaty

[@AMJolene]

@@BlakesAquatics He is not floaty at all. I came home today and he's back at the bottom lying in the midst of my plants just resting. I feed him sinking pellets and blood worms, but I also have African Clawed frogs which eat EVERYTHING... will he be able to get enough food?

[@leo2o915]

Is it the same care for other type of bichir I just got a teugelsi

[@samsonm1217]

Great vedio and tons of information!! Please put a species vedio of African butterfly fish or halfbeak fish please ❤️👍

[@BlakesAquatics]

have one for halfbeaks mate, havent kept african butterfly fish before. one day soon.

[@Piscesrex]

Hi Blake, I loved this video! I plan to read the book you recommend as well. What do you think of this setup? 180 gallon planted w/ Senegal Bichir African Redeye Tetras Leopard Bush Fish

[@BlakesAquatics]

Sound really unique good choices

[@TripleJAquatics]

Bichers are cool. Never had one personal though.

[@nateblevens8166]

So bichirs has tube like sensor above the nose like a bowfin,ropefish,and burbot to look prehistoric because the look similar to the snakehead and wolf fish

[@cheveburkinshaw860]

Love the Bircher familie recently got some myself 😃 I’ve only been able to find the albeno n some that we will keep quite for the moment 😉

[@BlakesAquatics]

That is awesome! haha hope they are going well :D

[@Pineappleboysonly]

Will they be fine with cichlids?

[@none3830]

What carpet plant can I put on my aquarium for Dinosaur Bichir?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Crypt parva might be hardy enough and have strong enough roots to work

[@Jacob-od5yo]

I got one from petco and shes a little one right now and shes in a planted 30 gal with a small spiny eel, a butterfly hillstream loach, and a fancy goldfish and is so energetic and lively i got some tiny minnows and shes been eating them

[@bigchungus505]

Do you think that a Senegal bichir would be able to live with Rainbowfish (boesemani)? or any other fish that would make good tank mates? i want a senegal bichir but dont know what else i could add with one.

[@AVDB95]

I have boesemani rainbows in a 120 gallon with 2sengals (8inch and 9inch) and a delhezi (14inch). It works verry well for me, the only concern is getting food past the greedy rainbowfish so I often feed them hikari massivore pellets as the rainbows can't swallow those. I also have a three spot gourami, blue phantom pleco's and a butterflyfish in my aquarium.

[@jasonlittle4049]

I have a question would one leave with bala sharks

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes should be ok

[@menacetosociety2033]

I have a question. My bichir lives with 15 female bettas in a (so far 16months) successful sorority. My bichir isnt bothered by the bettas and they dont bother him. When i feed everyone theres very minor agression but thats around 5 minute's right after the food is introduced. I just want to make sure that they will work well together considering they have relatively the same requirements.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Sorry but very soon the bettas will become food i would say

[@jessicacarrasco4892]

Can they be house with tiger barbs? Mine are very bratty

[@voidspine]

Does this advice also apply to delhezi? Also, how much food do they require?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yes it can. About 8 to 10 medium sized pellets each is what i feed daily

[@voidspine]

@@BlakesAquatics Thank you!

[@skip6509]

Hey Blake, how do you think aquaone nano bio balls would go as a substrate for a senegal

[@BlakesAquatics]

Gday Skip, havent tried it myself to test but looks ok to me. Before you put it in see if you can crush it lightly with your fingers. If so should be fine

[@skip6509]

@@BlakesAquatics thanks so much for the quick reply Blake. Have a great night and keep up the good work!! Love the channel.

[@skip6509]

@@BlakesAquatics I was unable to crush any with my fingers with out force. so I think I'll pick up some sand and cover the clay with a small layer of sand.

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@skip6509 hmm might be a bit of a choking hazard then. Did you try once it was wet? Some of those clay substrates soften up a lot when submerged

[@skip6509]

@@BlakesAquatics only tried a dry piece will try a wet peice tomorrow and if not I'll pop in to bunnings and grab some sand to cover them with.

[@dmaquatics4207]

Very nice video!!! I have a question... Recently I added to my tank some black cones from Dennerle... some of them started having a coat of small white hairs around them... Is it algae or fungus and do i need to get them out?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Its fungus/ biofilm. Not harmful you can just leave it, shrimps, plecos etc will eat it or itll naturally break down

[@dmaquatics4207]

@@BlakesAquatics Thank you very much for the fast response!!! Its my first aquarium so I still freak out easy :D

[@boges11]

Great info. I would love some but don't have the room, plus I'm too old already. ;)

[@BlakesAquatics]

I understand :D

[@ghostedbones6478]

Can they be with any cichlids?

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yeah there are options. Ive had mine with angelfish, blue eyed cichlids and a few others just need a backup plan in case it doesnt work out

[@daoust26]

I have 2 gaurami in my tank and they are big, would the bichir live with them peacefully?

[@BlakesAquatics]

theres a good chance.

[@jakesaquaticworld2669]

Hi Blake, where do you recommend getting healthy bichirs, I know of a few places but they are all upwards of $200, Thanks, jake

[@BlakesAquatics]

Fastway aquarium in west footscray have locally bred ones, i go there

[@RNGswervy]

@@BlakesAquatics How much do they normally cost there?

[@missednoahsarc2654]

I just bought a small one from pet smart for $ 7.99. I have been looking into them and I couldnt believe the price. I have other tank mates for now but as it grows I d9nt mind if it reduces the number. I also have a planted tank with many hiding places and have a rams horn snail problem. Hoping the bishir eats them. Cant deside if I want to name him lord seshomeru from inyuasha or falcor from never ending story. Either way hes my new fav in the tank. $7.99 how could I go wrong??!!

[@jeremyblackwater439]

@@missednoahsarc2654ok..you’re bichir fan and you like Inuyasha. No matter what happens you’re the coolest person I’ve seen on KZbin all day. ✌🏾

[@missednoahsarc2654]

@@jeremyblackwater439 aw thanks 😊

[@zh_clips2439]

The book link isn't working for me

[@paulsbaldsac]

I had one over twenty years that lived through generations of african cichlids and blackchin tilapia with zero issues somehow. Most anything else you put in that tank would be absolutely devoured.

[@nickstaggs2994]

Can I keep them with juvenile razor back turtles?

[@Talkin_Tanks]

lol my bichir must be special because his best friends are plecos and he lived in a gravel bottom for 2 years I raised him different lol I want to get more now tho thank you for the vid

[@ChrisVillagomez]

I've had a Senegal Bichir for 2 years now living by himself in a like 25 gallon long tank, eventually he'll get a bigger tank but he's only like 5 inches or so still and theres lots of open spaces for him to swim about in, a question I have is what would be his ideal diet right now? He's been eating angleworms and mealworms along with some sinking large tropical fish pellets

[@bswes2142]

Frozen krill is my go to

[@ChrisVillagomez]

@@bswes2142 Thanks for the response, I luckily already have some, always pays to be prepared :)

[@IsaacChenkual]

Hello Sir. Can they be kept together with Channa Auranti

[@BlakesAquatics]

Snakeheads are illegal here so i dont have the expertise to know sorry

[@akashcruze4910]

Pls suggest tank mates

[@BlakesAquatics]

Giant danios, SAEs, congo tetras, angelfish

[@akashcruze4910]

@@BlakesAquatics I have delhesi and endlichery so what other bichar can I add them together , I am little worried about agression ( confused with lapardi / leopard ) which one is best ?

[@catman1259]

what would possible tankmates be for a bichir in a 75gal

[@crimarogayyed6347]

Can they live without air pump. Just plain aquarium and water

[@BlakesAquatics]

technically yes

[@joshpiercey8477]

Can they be in the same tank as angelfish and corydoras? And I'm guessing they will eat shrimp aswell

[@BlakesAquatics]

Oh nah they would probably even eat a cory

[@kymberleysaunders5700]

Hey Blake, Ive been told a bichir is good to go in a aqua one horizon 182, with 4 electric blue acaras and some super red BN, do you agree, do you think their will be much aggression??

[@BlakesAquatics]

BN and bichirs are a bad idea, they tend to eat their slime coat

[@beamerandmercedesthebully3111]

I have a bicher and flowerhorn together with the ghosts of tetras as dither fish

[@Goughy245]

How has this been working out? I've been thinking of getting rid of my large community tank, so that I can get a Flowerhorn and Bichir? 😍

[@isoftcxttoncandy9308]

How many can be in a 300 gallon aquarium?

[@BlakesAquatics]

A dozen or so id say

[@isoftcxttoncandy9308]

@BlakesAquatics seriously?? I only have 5 in my 300 gallon aquarium. I'm going to get more.

[@DLMyth2]

Great vid, I really want a Bachir but wifey will only allow me to get a 75gal tank. Is it still doable? Also, is it all plecos that could hurt a Bachir or only the main carnivorous ones?

[@BlakesAquatics]

I wouldnt risk any plecos personally. 1 senegal in a 75 gall I would personally be fine with

[@katelyndrivers6040]

just wanted to add onto what he was saying, even though you could put just one in a 75 gal they are very social and like to be in a group

[@derlin6097]

They,re distantly related to Lungfishes.

[@XiraKira13]

I have a 10 inch ornate bichir that is very shy and calm temperament. What would you say the odds would be if I introduced a young 4 inch bichir ? Do you think it would get eaten? (125 gallon tank- 6 feet long)

[@BlakesAquatics]

Good chance it would be eaten. Try to add more hiding places / plants and feed at the front

[@freygonzales8535]

Can I add the black moor as the Bichir's tank mate?

[@BlakesAquatics]

I wouldnt

[@freygonzales8535]

@@BlakesAquatics how about the Red tail catfish as a tank mate for a Bichir?

[@BlakesAquatics]

@@freygonzales8535 i wouldnt think so the rtc will quickly grow to a point of eating the bichir

[@williamk9881]

Great video.

[@jaytucker5204]

Hey where can I Purchase the bicher book

[@BlakesAquatics]

Check the pinned comment

[@dodedraws1379]

Great video! I have a question. I have a tank with two dojo loaches (hoping to get one more) and six zebra danios. Is it ok to keep the bichir with them?

[@BlakesAquatics]

The bichir will eat the danios but otherwise yes

[@abbiejfritz]

How do you know male or female? My tank is 75 gallons

[@BlakesAquatics]

Their anal fin will euther be like a cup or a spearhead

[@timothyturner9134]

I got my two “Dino eels” together and now one is almost twice the size of the other

[@aprilbrown4590]

I wanted these guys so bad I have learned to do research before I get into anything and these guys get awesomely big and I do not have the set up and that sucks

[@BlakesAquatics]

One day 👍

[@karlzone9462]

I have had an L18 living with my Delhezi for 7 months now and never seen the Pleco show any interest in the Bichir. Maybe it's a problem with bigger bichirs (mine is 17cm) so i have no input at that. But i asked around in the few fish stores here in northern Sweden and they said it was completely fine with Plecos and Bichirs. Either way, great video!

[@BlakesAquatics]

Might be the individual pleco or that theres ample food available 👍

[@heatherlomax1001]

Question!!! I’ve had 1 bichir for 5 years. How many bichirs can I have in one 75gal tank??

[@BlakesAquatics]

Probably just 1 full grown to be safe. Possibly a breeding pair

[@krismos5076]

i've got 8 upper jaws in a 75

[@DLMyth2]

@@krismos5076 WoW which kind?

[@johsonjohnson3184]

Think Dwarf gouramis would hold they're own against an albino senegal? I'd get it when it's on the smaller side

[@BlakesAquatics]

No way, a dwarf gourami would soon be dinner mate

[@TheHalfworkShaman]

Glad I got two male and female need to put them in a breeder

[@aritoga999]

bichir with goldfish ?

[@BlakesAquatics]

i wouldnt

[@AaronCao-t1e]

I have a bichir ❤❤❤❤

[@nathanvintere3216]

I call mine a dinosaur fish

[@klarissaboden2575]

Me to :)

[@nathanvintere3216]

@@klarissaboden2575 mine is a female about 9 inches long really cool and pretty fish

[@Juancmanzanares]

I had really bad luck with them. I got one 5 inch long that the store was given them rosy feeders I bought that too and he didn’t like his 75 gallon tank with a Oscar as a neighbor. Enough food to go around for both and he died in 4 days. I know they are nocturne but I never saw him eating. Then yesterday I bought one more after 4 month of that bad experience and this time it was 2 inches. And today I found him at the floor. I don’t even know how he reached the top of the tank with 1 and a half inches the water from the top. Did he just glued to the glass as a pleco and climbed to the top???? I feel sooooo bad. I will never buy one again. But I do love them. They look like snakes and my wife don’t let me have a snake 😭

[@BlakesAquatics]

I think he wouldve just swished his tail and jumped right out, they are incredible at jumping

[@briannaharter4411]

If you want better luck with them buy at least 2 babies and riase them on a 20 long bare till older.cuase they are social and can become stressed when housed alone. The best diet is earthworms,omega one frozen cichilds food,krill,beef heart,carnivore pellets,shrimp pellets,ECT. Basicly mix it up.also when you cut things up to size. Feeder fish don't normally make a good diet for them cuase they can be diseased and have poor nuititrion.the only expection is liverbrearing fish you bred yourself since live bearers have better nutitrion and you know they are clean when you breed them yourself. Once 6 inches they can handle a 75 gallon tank.I would recommend for sengal bichir to house them with peaceful speices that won't pick on them to much like angles or black skirt tetras(mine hasn't eaten my 2 black skirts that live with them after the black skirts tank broke).

[@stevenirving9962]

I didn’t do my research and I put a newborn axolotl in my tank, and my Bashir ate it

[@BlakesAquatics]

😭

[@1taykjayastro064]

Bruh is there any elongated fish that don’t jump.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Not really 😄 built to jump

[@wabalaka1565]

Well they were built to jump what do u expect 😂😂😂

[@willyjaysadventures884]

You said bichir wrong when you mentioned the book lol no hate just found it funny I say it wrong nearly eveytime I say it

[@BlakesAquatics]

Force of habit 😄 hard to break

[@johnmaude5065]

This is a species I really want, but as usual illegal in the NT lol 😝

[@BlakesAquatics]

They never let you have any fun up there 🤦‍♂️

[@johnmaude5065]

@@BlakesAquatics no they are a bunch of spoil sports lol 😝

[@Jeipillow]

i had like 3 or 5 of these all died a week later because of wild cats catching them these darn cats always destroy our tanks and kill our fish rip in the country im staying these bishir cost like 500 each

[@BlakesAquatics]

Yeah they are expensive here too 😓

[@1claytonic1]

They will eat even six inch gold fish. I thought they would be safe but they with eat them to the bone so don't put eneything you care about with them. They are awesome pets but best kept with their own kind and with a low amount of males

[@xetaxi5083]

Awesome video but please please get that substrate out an replace with sand something that they can’t eat an get stuck in them.

[@BlakesAquatics]

Its not gravel its clay balls. They easily crush it

[@thefirstsin]

I had one of these i got it for 10$ but I forgot what happened my memory got wiped.

[@thefirstsin]

It was an albino too

[@nathanielhiggs7758]

i'm with you there, bikers and bitches can be embarrassing in a intellectual setting. Sigh! good times