Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Senegal Bichir - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is a freshwater fish kept by aquarists for community + species-specific freshwater displays. Suitable for keepers with 6-12 months of experience and stable water chemistry.
Where Senegal Bichir comes from
Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Senegal Bichir sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Senegal Bichir tank size and setup
Senegal Bichir requires a minimum of 75 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (12 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Senegal Bichir sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
For a Senegal Bichir setup: tank sized for the adult footprint, HOB or canister filter rated 4-6x tank volume, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature heater, and stocking-appropriate hardscape and plants.
Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What Senegal Bichir eats
Senegal Bichir is a carnivore. Eats meaty foods - frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food (PE Mysis, live brine, live blackworms) triggers feeding response in stressed or new arrivals. Feed 2-3 times weekly for adults; daily for growing juveniles. Feed Senegal Bichir appropriately for its size + activity level. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Senegal Bichir tankmates and compatibility
Senegal Bichir works in community tanks with peaceful species in similar size class. Adult-size matters more than purchase-size when planning stocking. Avoid mixing aggressive with passive species.
Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Senegal Bichir and similar species.
Senegal Bichir adult size and lifespan
Senegal Bichir reaches 12 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 10-15 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years.
Can you breed Senegal Bichir?
Senegal Bichir can be bred in dedicated breeding tanks with appropriate setup and water-chemistry triggers. Most oddball species do not breed in home tanks; commercial aquaculture is the source of captive-bred stock.
Common Senegal Bichir diseases and problems
Senegal Bichir is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Senegal Bichir for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where to buy Senegal Bichir online
Senegal Bichir is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Senegal Bichir from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 2-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Senegal Bichir FAQ
What size tank does the Senegal Bichir need?
Senegal Bichir requires a minimum of 75 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (12 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Senegal Bichir sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.
Is the Senegal Bichir hard to keep?
The Senegal Bichir is rated intermediate difficulty on this care sheet. It needs a tank of at least 75 gallons, a temperature of 74-80°F and pH 6.5-7.5. Adults reach about 12 inches and live 10-15 years. Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is a intermediate-care freshwater species that thrives in tanks of 75 gallons or larger with stable parameters.
What water parameters does the Senegal Bichir need?
Senegal Bichir prefers freshwater parameters: Temperature: 74-80°F pH: 6.5-7.5 GH: 4-12 dGH KH: 3-8 dKH Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 20 ppm long-term Copper: 0 (especially critical for invertebrates) Use dechlorinator on every water change. Test parameters weekly during cycling, biweekly once stable. Stable consistency beats sliding-scale "ideal" parameters.
What does the Senegal Bichir eat?
Senegal Bichir is a carnivore. Eats meaty foods - frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and quality carnivore pellets. Live food (PE Mysis, live brine, live blackworms) triggers feeding response in stressed or new arrivals. Feed 2-3 times weekly for adults; daily for growing juveniles. Feed Senegal Bichir appropriately for its size + activity level.
How big does the Senegal Bichir get and how long does it live?
Senegal Bichir reaches 12 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 10-15 years with proper care. Most freshwater species live 3-10 years; larger species (oscars, plecos, knifefish) reach 10-20+ years. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (12 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern.
What are common problems with the Senegal Bichir?
Senegal Bichir is susceptible to standard freshwater diseases (ich, columnaris, fin rot, bacterial infections). Quarantine new Senegal Bichir for 4 weeks before adding to your display tank. Treat fish in a separate hospital tank to avoid affecting plants and inverts. Most disease outbreaks trace back to poor water quality, chronic stress, or skipped quarantine.
Where does the Senegal Bichir come from in the wild?
Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is native to specific tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. The captive-bred Senegal Bichir sold at most LFS comes from generations of farmed stock and is generally hardier and better-acclimated to tank conditions than wild-caught equivalents. Wild specimens are occasionally available for keepers chasing original-bloodline coloration or biotope-accurate stocking.
Related freshwater species you might also keep
Other species in the same category with care profiles on Fast Aquatics. Click any name for the full husbandry breakdown.
Senegal Bichir taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.