Bichir Senegal
Polypterus senegalus
Family: Polypteridae • Origin: Various
Bichir Senegal (Polypterus senegalus) is a semi-aggressive other reaching 12 inches. Can be kept singly. Minimum tank size: 75 gallons.
Min Tank
75 gal
Max Size
12"
Temperature
75-82°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
15 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
bottom
Hardness
5-15 dGH
semi-aggressiveadvancedcarnivore
Care Tips
- • Max size: 12 inches
- • Temperature: 75-82°F
- • pH: 6.5-7.5
- • Can be kept alone or in pairs
- • semi-aggressive temperament — choose tankmates carefully
Feeding: Standard carnivore diet. Accepts foods appropriate for Polypteridae species.
Compatibility Notes: Typical semi-aggressive Polypteridae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 75 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 113 gallons
- Swimming Level
- bottom
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- semi-aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 3/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- Yes
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Typical semi-aggressive Polypteridae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 15 years
Ideal For
75 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
70-81°FpH 6-710+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.5"
Ember Tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
73-84°FpH 5.5-75+ gal
peacefulschooling 8+0.8"
Rummy Nose Tetra
Hemigrammus rhodostomus
75-84°FpH 5.5-720+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+2.5"
Black Neon Tetra
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
73-81°FpH 5.5-7.510+ gal
peacefulschooling 6+1.6"
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Black Skirt Tetra
Gymnocorymbus ternetzi
70-82°FpH 6-7.515+ gal
peacefulschooling 5+3"
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African Knife Fish
Xenomystus nigri
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Archer Fish
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77-86°FpH 7-875+ gal
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Elephant Nose
Gnathonemus petersii
73-82°FpH 6.5-7.575+ gal
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Fire Eel
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