📊 Datasheet
View More- DifficultyChallenging
- HardinessModerate
- Liters per Fish75 L
- Maintenance LevelModerate Maintenance
- pH6.5 - 7.5
- Minimum School Size3
- Temperature23.0 - 28.0 °C
Please note: These values are based on the average of various confirmed sources.
❤️ Care
The Gray Bichir is a hardy species, making it a suitable choice for aquarists with experience in keeping larger, carnivorous fish. Given its natural habitat in slow-moving rivers and lakes, it is well-adapted to a variety of water conditions.
- Tank Size: Due to its size, which can reach up to 50 cm (20 inches), a minimum tank size of 300 liters (80 gallons) is recommended. The tank should include ample space for swimming and be equipped with secure lids, as bichirs are known to be escape artists.
- Water Conditions: Gray Bichirs thrive in a range of water conditions but prefer soft to moderately hard water with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The water temperature should be maintained between 24-28°C (75-82°F) to mimic their native tropical waters. Strong filtration is necessary to maintain good water quality, but water flow should be kept moderate, as these fish are adapted to slower-moving waters.
- Tank Setup: The tank should mimic the fish’s natural riverbed habitat, with sand or smooth gravel substrates and plenty of hiding spots created with rocks, driftwood, and plants. The Gray Bichir uses its sense of smell to hunt for food, so ensuring some areas of low light or shaded sections can help replicate its natural behavior. Tank decorations should be sturdy to prevent the fish from knocking them over.
- Diet: Gray Bichirs are carnivorous and prefer a diet of live foods such as small fish, shrimp, and worms. They can also be fed frozen foods, including bloodworms, krill, and chopped fish fillets. Their large mouths allow them to swallow smaller fish whole, so it’s important to choose tankmates that are too large to be considered prey.
- Tankmates: Bichirs are generally peaceful but will eat any tankmates small enough to fit in their mouths. Ideal tankmates include larger, more robust fish species that can handle themselves around a predatory species. Avoid small, delicate fish, as they will likely become a meal.