Dinosaur Bichir Care Guide And Tank Mates

Overview

Dinosaur Bichir (Polypterus senegalus), a freshwater species of the Polypterid family, is found throughout Africa. And here we see the coelacanth, sometimes called a “living fossil” because of its ancient heritage as it has been traced back more than 400 million years.

Dinosaur Bichir has an elongated, snake-like body with numerous dorsal finlets that cause it to evoke images of animals from the Jurassic period. Having already explained how they are noted for their physical presence, in captivity these fish mostly reach a size of 12 to even up to two feet (20 inches), though getting to the higher end here is not something that happens all too often.

Though relatively unproblematic to keep, it is large and has greater demand so it is not recommended for novices.

Key Features

• Eel-like body with dorsal finlets
• Grows up to 12-20 inches
• Takes a big tank with lots of hiding places
• Easy and hardy, but water specific

Setting Up the Ideal Tank

It is very important to create the right environment for your Dinosaur Bichir. Because they can be fairly large and are active schooling fish, they need to have enough swimming space in a large tank.

At least 75 gallons, but bigger is better especially if you are keeping them with other tank mates like Bichirs. The tank must have a soft substrate, such as sand or fine gravel, to protect the fish’s delicate underbelly.

Includes numerous hiding places such as rocks, driftwood, and plants because Bichirs are known to nap during the day in crevices. They will also gladly leave their tanks if provided an opportunity, so be sure to invest in a secure lid.

Water Parameters and Filtration

The health of your Dinosaur Bichir is going to largely depend on having the correct water parameters. They like the water a bit acidic to neutral pH at about 6.5-7.

Maintaining the temperature between 75°F to 82°F will be sufficient as it is similar to their natural environment. Given that they are bottom-dwelling species in nature, and prefer to live in calmer waters, the best choice of filtration is a system that affords gentle water flow.

Fishing in overly strong currents can stress the fish out and make them unnatural. Bichir thrives on a diet of meaty foods, and to keep their waste to manageable levels while avoiding the buildup of harmful substances in your aquarium, effective filtration is required.

Optimal Water Conditions:

• Temperature: 75–82 F (24–28 C)
• pH: 6.5-7.5
• Water hardness: 5-20 dGH
• Filtration – Low Flow, Effecient and Bio-Load capable

Dinosaur Bichir and Aquascaping

Dinosaur Bichir is doing well in a tank with aqua-scaping that resembles its natural open-water habitat. These animals are benthic and will feel at home the most in a tank that is well decorated with plants (real or artificial), small caves, and tube rocks where they can hide during the day.

A treat now and then, like the nice live plants that are in the hardy Java fern of Anubia's family, provides excellent natural hideaways. You can always use driftwood and rocks to create caves, overhangs, or places for a cichlid fish in general to hide from view, not only does he get less stress this way, but also that simple hiding spot will help him feel secure enough.

However, steer clear of decorations with sharper edges as they can scratch Bichir's delicate skin and underbelly. Their substrates should be soft, ideally sandy as to not ruffle their favorite bottom-dwelling spots.

Dinosaur Bichir Tank Mates

Having the perfect tank mates for your Dinosaur Bichir is important if you want an aquarium that runs smoothly and healthily. Bichirs, as they are predators and can grow up to 20 inches in length, could eventually eat smaller fish. 

They are considered opportunistic feeders so any fish that appears to be small enough for them to eat will more than likely perish. Thus, choosing tank mates that are big enough not to get eaten and have amicable personalities with the Dinosaur Bichir semi-aggressive is crucial.

Here are some recommended tank mates for them in the same tank.

Oscars

Oscars happen to be a common addition to Dinosaur Bichirs because they grow quite large, approximately 12-14 inches. Red-tailed sharks are aggressive, territorial fish so they should be compatible with a bichir. 

Yet the Oscars can get aggressive when it comes to feeding. Though the two species may seem to do ok together, there is a time when they should all have enough space for them to establish their territories and avoid conflicts.

Severums

Another good choice, please note that severum means "severo"(serious person) so they will not pick on anybody. They are not as aggressive as the Oscars but, still large enough (up to 10-12 inches) that they should rarely be eaten.

Peaceful nature should also ease the dynamic of tank compatibility, a trait widely appreciated when housed with Dinosaur Bichirs. Severums typically swim to the top levels of the tank and Bichirs at the bottom dwellers, virtually eliminating any territorial disputes.

Plecos

While the common Plecostomus can grow to 24" long (depending on tank size, etc), most types are under a foot in length when they mature. These fish are quite versatile and do well in the lower regions of an aquarium which means they will not be taking up valuable room at the top that Dinosaur Bichirs need. 

Plecos often scour the tank for algae, which is great because they clean up. Bichir prefers their hard armor, as it provides protection from the bichir and makes them less vulnerable.

Synodontis Catfish 

Synodantus species like the Featherfin Squeaker are also good tank mates. They are extremely social and tend to school, which comes into play depending on the size of your aquarium as they can grow fairly large.

They grow big (around 12 inches) and usually keep the middle to bottom water column. The Bichir is also nocturnal by nature so its conduct will not conflict with the dojos' daytime hours.

Arowanas

This is a rather large fish, and grown adults can reach several feet in length (up to about three) depending on the species. They tend to be aggressive and territorial so they must have a fairly good-sized tank with plenty of space for all animals.

 Arowanas swim toward the top of the tank, while bichirs tend to stay near or on the bottom which also helps lessen confrontations. Yet on account of Arowana's immense size and strength, close supervision will be needed to prevent him from harassing or injuring Bichir or other tank mates.

Other Bichir Species

Most other Bichir species will likely be compatible with similar confidence levels as they have the same kind of temperament and requirements. If previous conditions are met, species such as the Ornate Bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) can be kept with Dinosaur Bichirs without any bloodshed. 

That said, it is essential to have a big enough tank with as many hiding chambers as possible depending on the number of Bichirs you are keeping. Given that all Bichirs are bottom dwellers, providing them ample space is necessary for overcrowding and stress to be prevented.

Feeding and Nutrition

Dinosaur Bichirs are carnivores, and as such should be offered foods that contain lots of protein to keep them healthy. They have a strong sense of smell and are nocturnal predators that hunt small fish, insects, and crustaceans. 

Since Bichir are such hardy fish, we often take them with a grain of salt when it comes to their food requirements. Their diet should be based on high-quality sinking pellets formulated for carnivorous fish. Help balance out its nutrient intake by supplementing this with frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and krill.

Although live foods such as earthworms or feeder fish may be fed occasionally, they should not be used in high quantities due to the risk of transferring disease from prey items.

Behavior and Temperament

But what makes Dinosaur Bichirs stand out from other freshwater fish is their behavior profile. These bats are nocturnal, which means they are most active during the night and prefer to remain at rest by day. This vertical foraging mode manifests in their nocturnal hunting, which sees them take advantage of darkness through stealth and a superior sense of smell.

Although generally peaceful, Bichirs are opportunistic feeders and may consume smaller fish that fit into their mouths. Because of this, selecting tank mates should be done with caution. They seem to come alive with their slow, methodical movements and bottom-dwelling nature; in a well-structured environment, these fish are quite captivating to watch express their natural behavior.

Breeding Dinosaur Bichirs

Few people have successfully bred Dinosaur Bichirs in a home aquarium because they require very specific conditions to spawn. Baby Bichirs will be deposited by females in slow-flowing bodies of water, such as swamps and oxbow lakes during infrequent flooding periods where food is plentiful.

The following conditions are difficult to recreate in captivity, you would need a large tank with high water quality and very stable parameters. Males and females should be fed high-protein food to prepare them for breeding.

At mating, the male and female entwine their bodies so that when she releases her eggs he is there to fertilize them. The eggs are covered on relatively low-identified flat surfaces, such as rocks or broad plant leaves, and hatch after some time.

Eggs are also highly vulnerable, as are free-floating young people who require flat surfaces and optimal water quality for survival. Bichir fries consume their egg sacs for a week after birth and can begin to feed them small live shrimp, worms, or mosquito larvae after such a period and remove larger fries to avoid cannibalism.

Common Health Issues

Dinosaur Bichirs may be robust animals, but they are still prone to a variety of typical health conditions focused on water quality, stress, and diet. Here’s what to watch for:

1. Ich And Fin Rot

Usually a result of water temperature rapidly fluctuating or they are kept in overcrowded tanks, marked by white spots. If the water quality is low or if there is any sharp tank equipment that will cause bacteria to start growing, fin rot can set in.

Untreated live foods can become a vector for internal parasites - common in bichirs.

2. Dropsy

Swelling from dropsy, it looks like scales are coming out of their face and this is when they are having a bacterial infection. It is a condition that usually denotes dysfunction within the body and requires prompt medical attention to prevent it from becoming out of control.

Clean the tank and give a proper and appropriate diet that is consumed within minutes to keep the sanitation of the tank and keep them away from the dropsy.

3. Ulcers

These are red spots or open sores, otherwise being an ulcer and a product of bacterial infections or injury for wreaking havoc on your Bichir.

They are often so painful that if left untreated they could result in significant health problems. Such wounds must be monitored regularly and should be treated as early as possible to keep the ulcers from getting larger.

4. Stress-Related Illness

Stress caused by poor water quality, bullying tank mates or rapid environmental changes can also weaken the Bichir's immune system. They become more vulnerable to infections as well as other grave diseases.

Conditions must remain stable and tank mates should be chosen wisely to minimize stress levels which is very important in keeping a Bichir healthy.

5. Swim Bladder Disorders

Swim bladder disorder that affects the buoyancy of Bichir (avoid swimming and floating awkwardly). It is commonly associated with a poor diet or bacterial infection and can be very irritating for the fish.

With regular health checks, you will be able to monitor your fish and reduce the chances of swim bladder problems showing up in their lifetime provided that suitable water conditions are maintained as well as good diet consumption.

Keeping a good eye on your Dinosaur Bichir and keeping the tank clean & stable, are all you need to do to avoid these common health concerns.

Tank Maintenance

A healthy and happy Dinosaur Bichir needs a clean, stable environment. Perform 25-30% water changes once a week to keep water quality high and remove waste. Bichirs eat lots of animal protein, which means they produce a great amount of waste so you will need to provide adequate filtration in your tank to ensure it stays clean and no ammonia or nitrites are allowed to build up on the system.

Besides water changes, it is also vital to clean the substratum regularly to get rid of uneaten food and waste that contribute dramatically to lower-quality water. Always keep the decorations and other places that your Bichir may hide in clear of algae buildup to ensure optimal conditions.

Handling and Interaction

Dinosaur Bichirs can easily become stressed if handled and are one fish that most certainly does not fall under the banner of "fish you should handle".

They are, however, known for being very interactive with their owners when it comes to feeding time. You may get them to surface and grasp food from your hand but be careful not to scare them away. 

If you must move your Bichir, use a large soft net to reduce stress and prevent damage. If you should act calm when handling your Bichir, do not jerk around because it will become scared and might harm itself trying to hide.

Long-Term Care and Lifespan

Dinosaur Bichirs are long-term aquarium inhabitants that require care to live an average of about 15 years or more with descendant species living up until today. Long-term care is all about keeping consistent water parameters, offering a diverse diet that provides balanced nutrition, and making sure the tank is quiet.

Keeping an eye on him will help you catch health troubles sooner, so at any time treatment is required the chances of him becoming seriously ill are lessened. With time your Bichir might get more used to you, and it might develop a bit of an owner-pet relationship with some mild interaction particularly during feeding.

Keeping the tank in a stress-free and stable environment is key to keeping them alive to their full potential.