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In case you have been searching for an extraordinary freshwater fish that will turn your aquarium into a prehistoric wonderland, the bichir is an excellent choice!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s possible to get different types of bichir with various colors and patterns, so you\u2019re sure to find something that fits your aesthetic perfectly.<\/p>\n
However, to keep these amazing fish healthy, there\u2019s important bichir care information that you\u2019ll have to keep in mind. From tank size and mates to diet, it\u2019s essential to be aware of what needs to be done. In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at everything you need to know about bichir care.<\/p>\n
Bichirs are a tropical species of freshwater fish that belongs to the Polypteridae family. These fish are mostly located in Northeast Africa throughout the Nile River and associated tributaries.<\/p>\n
Bichirs live in shallow, swampy waters and can even survive in semi-brackish waters. This makes perfect sense when you consider their build and how they\u2019ve remained unchanged for so long!<\/p>\n
Their murky environment has led to poor eyesight, so they rely on other senses such as smell and electricity detection to find food and move around. Interestingly, they also have lungs, which allows them to breathe oxygen from the water\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s tough to sex bichirs when buying them, but unless you\u2019re looking to breed them, this shouldn\u2019t make too much difference.<\/p>\n
The average bichir lifespan is 10-15 years in captivity, although some can reach up to 20 years in the perfect tank. <\/p>\n
How long these fish live for is greatly impacted by their environment, so be sure to take good care of them to keep them for as long as possible.<\/p>\n
Bichirs are incredible fish with a prehistoric appearance. Their bodies are scaly, and they have a series of spiny dorsal fins along the top of their back. This continues right into their tail, which fans out to form a large surface area.<\/p>\n
On the front of their head, you\u2019ll see two small tentacle-like extensions that help them smell and detect any electricity in the water. Bichirs have two big pectoral fins that they use to move around and even lift off the bottom to crawl.<\/p>\n
When it comes to bichirs, there are a few common types that you\u2019ll encounter in aquariums. Each type may vary in color, length, and other features.<\/p>\n
The dinosaur bichir (aka Senegal bichir) is the most popular type for many people. These fish are mostly grey and relatively small compared to other types of bichir. However, you might find lighter grey, pink, or blue varieties that deviate from this.<\/p>\n
The albino bichir is similar to a dinosaur bichir but white with red eyes. Apart from the color, it\u2019s the same!<\/p>\n
The ornate bichir is an impressive one. It\u2019s quite large and normally grows to two feet long. They have a yellow base color with black flecks scattered throughout and the spiny dorsal fins are closer together.<\/p>\n
Bichirs come from pretty big rivers, so they require a spacious tank. A minimum would be 75 gallons with 6 feet of length, 2 feet of width, and 2 feet of height. If possible, aim for larger if you\u2019re getting multiple bichirs.<\/p>\n
Bichirs are tropical fish, so they prefer temperatures ranging between 74 and 86\u00b0F with a pH of 6.5\u20137.0. A heater and filter is essential for keeping the water quality and temperature high, so be sure to invest in these items when setting up your tank.<\/p>\n
Bichirs need plenty of decorations such as rocks, driftwood, and plants for them to hide and feel secure. Additionally, having some fine and smooth substrate will do them a lot of good.<\/p>\n
To keep the water clean and prevent disease, it\u2019s important to perform regular water changes. Aim to change 10-20% of the tank water every couple of weeks. This will get rid of any nitrates or other toxins that have built up over time.<\/p>\n
These fish don\u2019t need bright lighting, but have some lights on a 12-hour timer. This will create a pleasant cycle and also encourage plants to grow.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s best to feed your bichir two or three times a day. They\u2019re not particularly greedy, so stick to the recommended amounts for them.<\/p>\n
Bichirs can breathe from the surface, but it\u2019s still important to ensure there\u2019s plenty of oxygen in the tank. A good filter should provide enough, but also consider adding an air pump for extra oxygen.<\/p>\n
Bichirs aren\u2019t as delicate as some other species of fish, but it\u2019s best to avoid handling them too much. Try netting them if you need to move them, and don\u2019t overclean the tank either.<\/p>\n
The tank should be cleaned regularly, the water quality should be monitored, and make sure to check out your bichir for signs of distress. It\u2019s also important to take them to a vet if they become ill.<\/p>\n
Incorrect water parameters can cause fungal and bacterial infections, while poor water quality and overfeeding can lead to fin rot. Be sure to do regular checkups and water changes to avoid these issues.<\/p>\n
Make sure to keep an eye on the bichir tank at all times. Predators can be a concern, so have a lid or some sort of protection to stop any intruders from entering. Additionally, keep their tank away from any direct sunlight as this can overheat the tank.<\/p>\n
The bichir is an incredibly cool prehistoric fish with a lot of history behind it. To ensure your bichir lives a long and happy life, you need to understand the basics of bichir care.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In case you have been searching for an extraordinary freshwater fish that will turn your aquarium into a prehistoric wonderland, the bichir is an excellent choice! It\u2019s possible to get different types of bichir with various colors and patterns, so you\u2019re sure to find something that fits your aesthetic perfectly. However, to keep these amazing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12040],"tags":[91411,760,13201,4704,299,537,14149,5715],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-250888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aquarium","tag-bichir","tag-care","tag-diet","tag-mates","tag-size","tag-tank","tag-types","tag-understanding"],"yoast_head":"\n