Dinosaur Fish (Bichir) Care Sheet

There is a myth about the aggresive nature with Bichirs or Dinosaur Fish. This myth can be true in some instances, but with some specifics in care, these fish can be less than the aggresive fish you where told about.

Birchirs come in many shapes and sizes, it all depends on which species you have, and how the supplier has labeled the fish when you purchased them. Often they are labeled 'Dinosaur Fish' at the local pet store. If you do wish to purchase a Dinosaur Fish under this label, then it is advisable you do a little research first.

Dinosaur Fish will start off small (2"-4" at most stores) when young, but within months of placing them in your tank and feeding them, can quickly grow to within there maximum size. Which depending on which species again, can be upto 16". www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/Fishindx/polypterus.htm

If you are to be placing your Dinosaur Fish {Bichir) into your tank with other fish, you will need to understand, that Bichirs may well eat your smaller fish. So ideally you do not want to be keeping them with fish that are smaller than them. Even if your current fish are quite large (5"-6") you might want to consider the Bichirs rapid speed at which they grow. If the Bichir is going to exceed the size of your current fishes size, then it is a bad idea to be keeping the Bichirs with them. This comes with personal experience, as I had placed my two 4" Bichirs (Polypterus Senegalus or Senegal Bichir) in the same tank as a smaller young 2" sucker fish, and five Catfish (4" each) I found the very next day that the sucker fish was just a skull on the bottom of the fish tank. The Catfish however seemed to be fine. What i did note is the Catfish seem to be in there little group, and will defend themselves. So the Dinosaur Fish did not attack them. I have though after careful consideration removed the Bichirs from the same tank as the others, as they have rapidly outgrown the Catfish by at least 3', over the last two months. I have noticed the Bichirs nipping the tails of the other fish. Which is a sure sign that they have the intention of making a meal of them, should the opportunity arise! This is despite the Bichirs ready supply of dried shrimp pellets that are fed to them.

My thoughts on keeping Bichirs with other fish are, that although they may live well with other non aggressive or semi-aggressive fish of a similar size. You will be risking the population of your tank. Therefore must consider keeping them seperate. If you are keeping semi-aggressive fish with semi-aggressive fish, you are always risking all out fish tank warfare. Thus if you are going to keep the fish together, you must keep an eye on them for fighting, biting, intimidation and disputes over food. This goes without saying, if you do keep the fish together, then it may only be a matter of time before you see Charley the Chiclid being eaten By T-rex the Dinosaur Fish. Even if for instance your Chiclid can defend himself, you don't want to be risking injury to either party. If you are serious about keeping Bichirs, it is wiser to keep them seperate from smaller fish, fish that will be smaller fish in the future, or fish that either will fight back causing injury to your Bicher and visa versa.

Bichirs are happy to live with there own species, the fights are less common, and they do not seem to eat each other. As long as you maintain there diet of live or dried food. Such as earthworms, cockles, mussels and frozen fish such as silversides or whitebait. Will also eat sinking pellets. Bloodworm, krill. These foods are all good for juveniles and adults.

The temperatures of the water in your tank can vary depending on the species. My Senegal Bichirs are happy at 72f. More information can found at this forum from owners of Bichirs. www.fishforum.com/ancient-fish/got-birchir-10209/t

Pet stores like Petsmart and Petco in the USA supply Bichirs of different varieties. Your local pet store may have them or will be more than happy to get them if you ask. These fish I do recommend, if not only because of there slender looks and prehistoric characteristics, but also because of there intelligence. These fish stand on there front fins while they look around for food, or are eating. They have been known to climb out of the water on occasion when they are older. So beware of any overfilling your tank! They will wait for you, and stare from the tank in anticipation of food. Bichirs are fun, if you have not got one yet, then definitely consider it. Your family and friends will be amazed at your weird looking fish!