Senegal bichir care guide
Also called: Gray bichir, Grey bichir, Cuvier's bichir, Dinosaur bichir, Dinosaur eel, Albino Senegal bichir
The Senegal bichir is a hardy, prehistoric-looking African fish that breathes air and grows to about 12 inches (30 cm). It's a good first big fish, but it eats anything that fits in its mouth and escapes easily, so it needs a large, tightly covered tank.
Senegal bichirs need a tank of at least 90 gallons (340 L), and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) with a pH of 6.2–7.8. They grow to about 30 cm (11.8 in) and are semi-aggressive.
Plan a tank with Senegal bichirsSee all tank mates
Senegal bichir quick facts
| Scientific name | Polypterus senegalus |
|---|---|
| Family | Polypteridae |
| Origin | Swamps, lagoons and slow river edges across tropical Africa, including the Nile, Niger, Senegal and Lake Chad basins |
| Adult size | 30 cm (11.8 in) |
| Minimum tank | 90 gallons (340 L), at least 120 cm (47 in) long |
| Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
| pH | 6.2–7.8 |
| Hardness (GH) | 5–18 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 10–20 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
Plan for at least 90 gallons (340 L) with a footprint of about 4 × 1.5 ft (120 × 45 cm). Floor space matters more than height, and a 6 ft (180 cm) tank is better. Fit a tight, weighted lid, because bichirs push through small gaps. Add caves, driftwood and broad-leaved plants, and leave a little air space at the surface.
How many Senegal bichirs in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits Senegal bichirs is a 125 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Senegal bichirs (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon long | Too small |
| 29 gallon | Too small |
| 40 gallon | Too small |
| 55 gallon | Too small |
| 75 gallon | Too small |
| 125 gallon | Up to 8 |
What you need for Senegal bichirs
Sized for a 125 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits Senegal bichirs. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 125 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 125 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 1043 lb (473 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- 2 adjustable heaters, 250 W each (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 79 °F (26 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). Two heaters keep the tank warm if one fails. How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Canister filter rated 750–1250 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Heavily stocked or messy fish: 6–10 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 150 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 72 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for Senegal bichirs
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Freeze-dried bloodworms or brine shrimp (opens Amazon in a new tab)A treat that carnivores and insect eaters love. Feed it a few times a week.
- Tight-fitting lid for a 125 gallon tank (opens Amazon in a new tab)Senegal bichir can jump out of an open tank.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 6.2–7.8 and 5–18 dGH. It is hardy and adapts to most tap water. It eats meaty food and makes plenty of waste, so use strong filtration and change water weekly.
Best tank mates for Senegal bichirs
These popular species share Senegal bichirs' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 17 good matches.
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Oscar
30 cm (11.8 in) · 23–27°C (73–81°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
Malaysian trumpet snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Mystery snail
5 cm (2 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Blood parrot cichlid
20 cm (7.9 in) · 24–27°C (75–81°F)
Siamese algae eater
15 cm (5.9 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Avoid keeping Senegal bichirs with
- Betta fish: Senegal bichir can eat bettas: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Bronze corydoras: Senegal bichir can eat bronze corydoras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Cherry shrimp: Senegal bichir eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Senegal bichir 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Dwarf gourami: Senegal bichir can eat dwarf gouramis: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Senegal bichir 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
Feeding
A predator that finds food mainly by smell. Feed sinking carnivore pellets, bloodworms, prawn, mussel, white fish and earthworms. It is slow to reach food, so drop it close by and make sure faster tankmates don't take it all. Avoid feeder fish, which can bring in disease.
Behavior
Calm and slow, but it will swallow any fish it can fit in its mouth, and it may bite trailing fins, often at night. Choose tankmates of at least 4–5 in (10–12 cm) that are too deep-bodied to swallow. Good companions include other bichirs, Synodontis catfish, silver dollars, medium to large characins and larger peaceful cichlids.
Breeding
Very rarely bred in home tanks. Spawning has been linked to cooler, softer water that copies the rainy season. Eggs are scattered in dense plants and the adults should be removed afterward. Males have a broader, thicker anal fin than females.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Weigh the lid down or clip it shut. Bichirs push through small gaps and quickly die on the floor.
- Drop food close to where it rests. Bichirs hunt by smell and are slow to arrive.
- Once it's grown, avoid tankmates smaller than about 4 in (10 cm), and skip slim fish it could swallow whole.
- Leave a small air gap under the lid. Bichirs gulp air from the surface every day.
Frequently asked questions
How big do Senegal bichirs get?
Most reach about 12–14 inches (30–35 cm) in aquariums, and a few grow larger. Plan the tank around a fish of at least 12 inches.
What size tank does a Senegal bichir need?
At least 90 gallons (340 L) with a long, wide base for one adult. A 6 ft (180 cm) tank is better, especially if you want more than one.
How long do Senegal bichirs live?
Usually 10–20 years with good care, and some have lived more than 30 years in aquariums. Buying one is a long-term commitment.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.