Moderate

Senegal Bichir

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Polypterus senegalus

Complete Senegal Bichir care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 55 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Senegal Bichir

Quick Answer

Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is a living fossil from Africa. It requires a minimum 55 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 24-28°C. This carnivore occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is a living fossil from Africa. It has paired lungs and can survive out of water for short periods. Its eel-like body and dorsal finlets make it unique.

Setup

A 55-gallon or larger tank with a very tight, heavy lid (they climb!). Fine sand substrate, driftwood, and caves. Low water flow. Leave air gap at top.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats meaty foods: earthworms, shrimp, fish pieces, bloodworms, and sinking carnivore pellets. Feed 2-3 times weekly.

Compatibility

Peaceful with fish too large to eat. Keep singly or in groups. Tankmates: large tetras, rainbowfish, catfish, ropefish. Avoid small fish (<2 inches).

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Senegal Bichirs should be kept together?
Can be kept singly or in groups of 3 or more inside a large aquarium of at least 75 gallons (284 liters) with a footprint of 48x18 inches (120x45 cm). Senegal bichirs (Polypterus senegalus) are predatory but tolerate conspecifics if similar size. Ensure all bichirs are of similar size (within 2 inches/5 cm), as larger fish will swallow smaller tank mates. Provide sand substrate, PVC pipes, and driftwood caves. Use a secure, heavy-duty lid; they are escape artists. Avoid with fish under 3 inches (7.5 cm).
What are the exact water parameters for Senegal Bichirs?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 5 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 4 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 120 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 250 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 75°F - 82°F (24°C - 28°C). They are ancient predatory fish that need a secure aquarium lid and large territory markers. Maintain nitrates below 20 ppm with weekly 30% water changes. Use a canister filter with moderate flow (5-6x turnover). Provide sand substrate; they bury themselves. Ammonia must be 0 ppm. Avoid copper.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Senegal Bichirs?
They are carnivores that track food by scent, requiring 60% protein, 15% fat, 25% plant matter. Feed sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, tilapia slices, earthworms, and ghost shrimp 3-4 times weekly. Use feeding tongs to target feed. They ignore flakes. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.05 mg/L lethal) and formalin. Scaleless; use malachite green at quarter dose (0.025 mg/L). Praziquantel is safe. Avoid salt (tolerance <2 ppt). Quarantine with metronidazole at half-strength.
How to breed Senegal Bichirs in captivity?
Breeding is rare but possible in large tanks (100+ gallons). Condition a group of 4-5 with live earthworms and tilapia for 6 weeks. Simulate rainy season: Lower water level to 10 inches (25 cm), raise temperature to 82°F (28°C), perform 40% water change with cool (68°F/20°C) soft water over 4 hours. Provide floating plants and spawning mops. Spawning occurs at night; male wraps around female; 200-300 eggs scatter. Remove parents. Eggs hatch in 5-7 days at 78°F (25.5°C). Fry feed on baby brine shrimp and microworms. Not for beginners.

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