Gray bichir
Polypterus senegalus
Parameter dashboard
25-28 °C
6-8
70 cm
15 years
Care guide
The Senegal bichir is an elongated, armoured freshwater predator. Adults reach up to 70 cm standard length in the wild per FishBase, but this must not be interpreted as a promise that a small aquarium will keep the fish small. The body is elongated and eel-like, covered in thick, armour-like ganoid scales, with a flattened head, external nostrils, and a row of dorsal finlets running along the back instead of a single continuous fin. It breathes atmospheric air and needs unrestricted access to the surface. Choose housing for the actual adult size and obtain a species-specific space plan before purchase. Provide a long, broad base for this bottom-dwelling fish. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory; bichirs are notorious escape artists. FishBase records a temperature range of 25–28°C, with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Senegal bichirs are nocturnal predators with poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell. They will eat anything that fits in their mouths, including smaller tankmates. They do not require a schooling group; small tankmates remain at risk of being eaten. Feed sinking carnivore pellets, earthworms, prawns, and pieces of fish.
Source
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (11)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegray mbuna Melanochromis johannii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Crescent betta Betta imbellis Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Desert goby Chlamydogobius eremius Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Nugget Pleco Baryancistrus xanthellus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range Open pair in Compare → |
| Malabar pufferfish Carinotetraodon travancoricus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress Open pair in Compare → |
| Red phantom tetra Hyphessobrycon sweglesi Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range Open pair in Compare → |
| Zebra Archerfish Toxotes blythii Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates Open pair in Compare → |
| Asian Stone Catfish Hara jerdoni Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Pond loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Small snakehead Channa asiatica Avoid | Avoid | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range Open pair in Compare → |
1 species with compatible assessment in this sampleCollapse to hide the list; use “Open pair in Compare” for the full matrix.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Finescale tigerfish Datnioides microlepis Compatible | Compatible | No rule-based conflicts detected for this pair. Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
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