Dinosaur Bichir Food And Feeding
- Pellets
- Tetra Blood Worms
- Freeze Dried Shrimp
- Freeze Dried Tubifex
- Mussels
- Live worms
- Flakes
What do Dinosaur Bichir fish eat?
The pellets and flakes will sink to the bottom of the tank and are readily eaten by the dinosaur bichir. Since the fish is a carnivore, you must take care in feeding it since it is a predatory fish. In the wild, they are used to hunting and will eat snails, bugs, and worms.
What can I put with a Dinosaur Bichir?
This is perfect for a Dinosaur Bichir tank mate. These two species won’t interact much, since they occupy completely different spots in the aquarium. This species is omnivorous but prefers a diet heavily centered around plants. It enjoys the occasional goodies such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms.
How much water does a bichir fish need?
By the way, each adult Bichir requires around 90 gallons of water. Bichirs are carnivorous nocturnal fish. They don’t accept regular fish foods like flakes or pellets. Instead, they require a high-protein diet based on foods such as bloodworms, shrimp, feeder fish, and other small critters.
Is the Dinosaur Bichir the right fish for your tank?
This fish also has sharp dorsal fins and a short, rounded tail. If you want to create a unique community aquarium, the Dinosaur Bichir is one of the most interesting fish you can choose. However, finding tank mates for this fish is quite challenging. The Dinosaur Bichir isn’t the most hospitable tank mate.
How long do dinosaur bichirs live?
The average bichir lifespan is usually 10-15 years in captivity. However, it's not out of the question for them to hit 20 years of age if they receive perfect care (and have good genetics).
What should I feed my bichir?
Feeding. The bichir is a carnivore, and very rarely eats dried foods. Therefore, a diet of frozen or live foods is recommended for larger fish, including shrimp, baitfish, mussels, and earthworms. Smaller specimens will also eat mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp.
What do you feed a saddled bichir?
Feeding: Feed meaty live foods such as black worms, blood worms, and earthworms along with frozen foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and beef heart. Dried foods are not always accepted, but eventually most Bichirs will accept a quality pellet, tablet, or stick that is suitable to their size.
What does a dinosaur eel eat?
This carnivore enjoys many foods, including: Meaty foods, including mussel, prawn, shrimp, cockle, whitebait, beefheart and silversides. Live foods, including guppies, minnows, earthworms and ghost shrimp.
Do bichirs like plants?
Plants and Decorations Unlike many other large fish Bichirs are very easy on plants, substrates, and decorations. They don't dig into gravel, uproot plants, or move caves about.
What fish can live with a dinosaur Bichir?
These fish are quite good tank mates providing the fish you put in the tank don't fit into their mouth! They usually do well with larger fish, so think Oscars, Blood Parrots, Flowerhorns, large Barbs, Knifefish, medium and large Catfish, and large peaceful African Cichlids.
Does bichir jump?
Bichirs are prompt to jump when in fright or when chasing each other of their own kind or kena chased by other predators. It is a MUST to cover up your tank!
How big does a bichir fish get?
Most species grow to between 30 and 60 cm (11.8 and 23.6 inches) long. Some members of the largest two species, the saddled bichirs (P. endlicherii) and Congo bichirs (P. congicus), grow to lengths of 75 cm (29.5 inches) and 97 cm (38.2 inches) and weights of 3.3 kg (7.3 pounds) and 4.4 kg (9.7 pounds), respectively.
Can bichir live out of water?
The scientists worked with the Senegal bichir (Polypterus senegalus). Normally it swims in African rivers. But this elongated fish has both gills and lungs, so it can live on land if it has to. And that's what Emily Standen forced her bichirs to do for much of their youth.
Are Bichirs Hardy?
They are very hardy, beautiful, personable, and come in a variety of attractive red-based tones. While nowhere near as large as Peacock Bass, Oscars are still large predators so be careful when keeping them with smaller Bichirs. However any of the medium to large species are excellent tank mates.
Are bichir bottom feeders?
Bichirs eat exactly the same thing. However they aren't surface feeders so you may need to use feeding tongs to ensure your Oscar doesn't greedily devour everything!
How big does a bichir fish get?
Most species grow to between 30 and 60 cm (11.8 and 23.6 inches) long. Some members of the largest two species, the saddled bichirs (P. endlicherii) and Congo bichirs (P. congicus), grow to lengths of 75 cm (29.5 inches) and 97 cm (38.2 inches) and weights of 3.3 kg (7.3 pounds) and 4.4 kg (9.7 pounds), respectively.
Can bichir live out of water?
The scientists worked with the Senegal bichir (Polypterus senegalus). Normally it swims in African rivers. But this elongated fish has both gills and lungs, so it can live on land if it has to. And that's what Emily Standen forced her bichirs to do for much of their youth.
Can bichir live in cold water?
They thrive in shallow waters, though much to the chagrin of dedicated aquarists, these bichirs are likely to Houdini their ways out of tanks that do not have tight fitting lids. Waters should be maintained with temperatures between 72 and 82°F, pH of 6.0 to 8.0, and hardness between 5 and 25°H.
How much water does a bichir need?
Bichirs from the tropical origin are best to adapt in water temperature ranging from 24 to 28 degrees Celsius. For instance, 180 gallons of water is just enough for an adult Bichir. Install a filter of the best quality that will allow good air and water flow.
Why are bichirs good for fish tanks?
Bichirs are appropriate for hexagonal and tall fish tanks because their lungs allow them to thrive in oxygen-deprived water. A wider tank that has a larger footprint is the best set up for Bichir regardless of the height.
How long does it take for a bichir to mature?
Sex of a Bichir can be determined when they have grown at least 6-7 inches long. It takes six years for these fish to mature and become sexually active. The Swamp Dragonfish is not picky about its prey and can eat almost anything. Even if a fish is too large to swallow, it may try anyway.
Where did the Bichir fish come from?
A Short Intro on its Origin. Found in the fresh waters of Africa and its subcontinents, Dinosaur Bichir is a primitive fish that originated from prehistoric species dating back during the dinosaur age (60 Million years ago). Its scientific name is Polypterus senegalus under the species of Polypterus genus. It is a member of the Polypteridae ...
What fish mate with Cuvier Bichir?
Giant catfishes, Arowana, datnoid fish, and stingrays are perfect mates for Cuvier Bichir, the other name for dinosaur eel. Make sure that these tank mates bear the same size as that of the dragon fish; otherwise, they might fall into prey.
What is the color of Bichir?
Dinosaur Bichir is predominantly brown, grey or beige with an elongated and vaguely cylindrical body.
How long do dragon bichir fish live?
This is why tankmates have to be at least half the size of the dragon bichir. These fish can live up to 20 years if given right living conditions.
Why can't you put a dinosaur bichir in a tank?
The behavior and temperament of the dinosaur Bichir can be quite problematic. So, it is very important that you understand their actions, particularly as it relates to their own survival. For instance, even though they are not looking to pick a fight with the larger fish, they are still considered to be predatory. In fact, this is one of the primary reasons why you cannot put this species of fish in a tank with the smaller fish.
What is a bichir fish?
Dinosaur Bichir is a long bodied freshwater fish species that spend most of their time at the bottom of the tank. This freshwater fish species has a unique long body shape than other regular fish that take quick attention of everyone.
How long do bichir fish live?
Therefore, if you want a small dinosaur bichir to live a long healthy life, it is important that they always receive the appropriate care. For instance, the lifespan of this animal usually lasts from about 10 to 15 years. This timing, however, is based on the condition and how they are actually treated. In some cases, the life span of this fish may even top out at 20 years.
How big can a bichir grow?
For instance, some of the adults in this species can grow as long as 50 cm (20 inches) long before they stop growing. To make sure this fish is noted for the longer length, they do have the capability to lay on their back and extend their body fully, too.
What are some names for a bichir?
Therefore, if you are doing your own research, you may search google for the names Reed Fish, Senegal Bichir, Swamp Dragon, or Dinosaur Eel. These are just a few names that you can look for. However, there are also others that you may want to add to your list. The image of the Dinosaur Bichir makes it easy to recognize, however, whenever you see it. This is because its odd appearance makes it very easy to identify, particularly when the image has the following characteristics.
How big does an albino bichir get?
Just like the name implies, the color of this is albino; it grows to the length from about 12 to 18 inches. The length of this fish varies since it grows to 18 inches in the wild and only 12 inches in an aquarium. They are also known for eating the smaller fish but leaving, the larger fish undisturbed since they can only eat fish that fit into their small mouths.
Is the dinosaur bichir interesting?
While the dinosaur bichir is one of the unique and interesting fish that you can research today, there are still others in this same species that you may want to know about, too. Here are 4 of these species that make fascinating subjects when you want to learn the uniqueness of each and what they are best known for.
When to reprogram bichir fish?
Nighttime or early in the morning before their lights are off is a good choice. Trying to reprogram a fish away from their natural feeding behavior is an uphill battle. It’s better to work with them! In terms of their actual diet, this is where bichir care can get a little trickier than other fish.
What is a bichir?
Dinosaur Bichir. The dinosaur bichir (aka Senegal bichir) is one of the most popular types you can find. They’re mostly grey and are usually not as large as most other types of bichirs. In some instances, they’ll come in a lighter grey (almost white) and even pink and blue.
What is the difference between bichir lungs and dwarf gourami lungs?
This design solves all that. Bichir lungs are a bit different than the lungs of other fish such as dwarf gourami. A bichirs lungs are more of a sac than a mass of tissue. There doesn’t seem to be much of an advantage of one over the other, it’s just the way they evolved. These fish are also very hard to sex.
What color is a Delhezi bichir?
They’re primarily grey with flecks of yellow and green and some short black stripes.
What are bichirs' organs?
They have ampullae of Lorenzini which are little organs that can pick up the electricity of other animals in the water. As you can imagine, this is quite useful! Bichirs are an interesting fish because they have a pair of lungs and need access to the surface to get oxygen.
How long do bichir live?
Lifespan. The average bichir lifespan is usually 10-15 years in captivity. However, it’s not out of the question for them to hit 20 years of age if they receive perfect care (and have good genetics). The lifespan of these fish can be impacted significantly by the conditions they live in.
What is an albino bichir?
The albino bichir is essentially a dinosaur bichir but white with red eyes. Everything else is exactly the same aside from the color. These are a highly sought after type of bichir (as most albino fish are).
