Saddled bichir Care Guide

The Saddled Bichir is a resilient yet moderately challenging fish to care for, making it a fascinating addition to an aquarium. It requires specific conditions to thrive, and proper care and attention will ensure its well-being.

Care Process

The Saddled Bichir is a moderately challenging species that requires a diligent care routine. Its hardiness level is rated as resilient, making it quite a sturdy fish, however, its moderate maintenance level demands regular monitoring of the tank conditions. The pH of the water should be maintained between 6.5 and 7.5, with a temperature range of 24°C to 29°C. The aquatic space should be spacious, providing at least 76 liters per fish, and it's recommended to keep them in small groups with a minimum school size of three to ensure their social well-being.

Tank Setup

When setting up a tank for the Saddled Bichir, ensure it accommodates its potential size, which ranges from 30 cm to 50 cm. The tank should provide varied habitats as the fish occupies surface, mid, and bottom regions of the tank, necessitating vertical space and diverse environments. Ensure the inclusion of ample hiding spots and ensure the substrate is soft to protect them when they patrol the bottom. Since they can exhibit semi-aggressive behavior with moderate territorial tendencies, consider companions that can coexist peacefully.

Diet and Feeding

The Saddled Bichir has a robust appetite and feeds on a variety of foods, both live and prepared. Their diet can include flakes, pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, frozen shrimp, vegetable matter, algae wafers, and various freeze-dried foods. They can also consume more specialized feed like color-enhancing food, daphnia, micro worms, stick-on tablets, and even feeder fish. Offering a varied diet ensures their nutritional needs are met, and mimics their natural wild feeding behaviors.

Behavior and Compatibility

The Saddled Bichir demonstrates mostly peaceful behavior with moderate aggression levels, particularly during breeding periods when they can become slightly more aggressive. Their territorial behavior is moderately pronounced, which should be taken into account when selecting tankmates. Other fish should be chosen carefully to avoid confrontations and stress within the tank. Providing a balanced environment and maintaining optimal conditions will allow this intriguing species to flourish in a home aquarium setting.