Senegal Bichir

[Sean_Buckley]

If I got one, would it eat my Corydoras? They are Peppered and Bronze. If they would, I could always move the Cories. Also, Bichirs need a tight fitting lid, right? And will they try to climb into my filter?
Sean

 

[Dwarfs]

A senegal bichir would eat your cories eventually. They need at least a 3' tankand should have a tight lid, if you happen to have one with an escape artist personality that is My two have never tried to get out, but you never know

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Its a 33 gallon (36"x18"x14).
Sean

 

[BichirKeeper]

I've never had a Bichir attempt to escape, but often they'll come up to take a vigorous glup of air and might give the lid a good smack once in awhile. Not a problem when they're little, but my 13 inch male senegal can move the entire lid around if he gets a running start. So yes, a tight fitting lid is a must (or even taped or weighted down) Like dwarfs said, it'll need a larger tank, 55 gallons minimum, bigger is better.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Like dwarfs said, it'll need a larger tank, 55 gallons minimum, bigger is better.

No he didn't. He said a 3' tank is usually minimum size. Most 55's are 4'. Most 30s and 33s are 3', which is what I have, a 33 gallon.
Sean

 

[BichirKeeper]

Pardon me then, I wrote my post out in a hurry.

Regardless, it's just my personal opinion that a Senegal Bichir would be happiest in at least a 55 gallon tank. A 33 would be fine for awhile, but would be somewhat cramped when your bichir starts to reach adult size. Being as active as they are, they need room to move.

 

[Black_Ghost_Guy]

Believe me, he's right, it would do best in a 55 gallon minimum. They would probably eventually get large enough to eat your cories, but that would take awhile (though they do grow reasonably quickly). Right now I'm keeping 3 senegals with 2 peppered cories, two emerald Brochis, and two albino cories, and they do great together, but I also have an 80 gallon and 300 gallon waiting for them. I say go for it, but you do have to realize that you'll eventually need a larger tank.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Pardon me then, I wrote my post out in a hurry.

Sorry BichirKeeper, I didn't mean to sound offensive or snotty. Would a 40 gallon be OK eventually, or no? And Dwarfs, don't you have a Senegal in a 30 gallon or something? Or is he planning on being moved?
Sean
EDIT: Sorry, I see now that he's in a 55 gallon.

 

[Dwarfs]

I keep two in a 55g, a 3' would be bare minimum IMO

Are you talking about a 40g long? Those are 4' tanks and would be great for senegal bichirs.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

I keep two in a 55g, a 3' would be bare minimum IMO

Are you talking about a 40g long? Those are 4' tanks and would be great for senegal bichirs.

No, sorry, its not a 40 gallon long....its a homemade tank, and its about 36"x24". Is that still too small? I wish my parents would let me get a larger tank.....
Sean

 

[Dwarfs]

Is that 36" long 24" wide? That would be good

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Is that 36" long 24" wide? That would be good

My mistake, its a 36" longx 18" wide...I always thought it was 24". Would it be alright, in your opinion? I plan to have lots of lowlight plants, and floating plants.
Sean
EDIT: Also, when I figured out the volume in gallons, its actually a 45 gallon. I bought it homemade and he said 40 gallons, so I just always figured it was.

 

[Dwarfs]

It still sounds good for a senegal

 

[Sean_Buckley]

So, you're saying that the Senegal will be happy and comfortable in the 45 gallon? Because if you are, next time we go, I'm getting one, if they're still there....
Sean

 

[Dwarfs]

At 12 inches a senegal could easily turn around and generally swim around in the tank you mentioned, so IMO, it's ok, and go for it