Senegal Bichir Care Guide — Tank Setup, Feeding and Breeding

ByTankora

Introduction

The Senegal Bichir is one of the most fascinating freshwater fish available in the aquarium hobby, offering keepers a living glimpse into the ancient past. Belonging to the family Polypteridae, a lineage that has existed for over 60 million years, this remarkable fish possesses a series of dorsal finlets, lung-like swim bladders that allow it to breathe atmospheric air, and thick ganoid scales that give it an almost armoured appearance. It is often the first bichir species that hobbyists encounter, and for good reason — it is among the hardiest and most forgiving members of its genus.

Native to a vast swathe of tropical Africa, Polypterus senegalus thrives in shallow, slow-moving waters where it hunts invertebrates and small fish under the cover of darkness. In captivity, it adapts readily to a range of water conditions and accepts a wide variety of foods, making it an excellent choice for aquarists who want to keep a predatory species without the extreme demands that many large predators impose. Despite its prehistoric appearance and carnivorous diet, the Senegal Bichir is a relatively peaceful fish that can coexist with a thoughtfully chosen community of similarly sized tank mates.

This guide covers everything you need to know to keep Senegal Bichirs healthy and thriving in the home aquarium, from tank dimensions and water chemistry to diet, breeding, and disease prevention. Whether you are considering your first bichir or looking to refine the care of a specimen you already own, the information that follows will help you provide the best possible environment for this extraordinary fish.

Quick Stats

Scientific name Polypterus senegalus
Common names Senegal Bichir, Grey Bichir, Dinosaur Bichir, Dinosaur Eel, Cuvier’s Bichir, Senegal Dragon Fish
Family Polypteridae
Origin Widespread across tropical Africa — Senegal, Nigeria, Chad, Egypt (Nile basin), Cameroon, Mali, and others
Adult size 25–30 cm (10–12 inches)
Lifespan 15–20 years, occasionally longer
Difficulty Moderate
Breeding difficulty Difficult
Temperature 24–28 °C
pH range 6.0–7.5
General hardness (GH) 5–20 dGH
Carbonate hardness (KH) 3–12 dKH
Minimum tank size 250 litres
Conservation status Least Concern (IUCN)

Appearance

The Senegal Bichir has a long, cylindrical body covered in thick, diamond-shaped ganoid scales that feel distinctly hard and bony to the touch. These scales overlap like tiles and provide a suit of biological armour that has served the lineage well for millions of years. The body is typically an olive-grey to beige colour on the dorsal surface, fading to a paler, often creamy white on the belly. Some wild-caught individuals display subtle mottling or faint banding along the flanks, though this tends to be less pronounced than in many other Polypterus species.

The most distinctive feature of any bichir is the series of small, flag-like dorsal finlets that run along the back. In the Senegal Bichir, there are typically between eight and eleven of these finlets, each supported by a single spine with a soft, trailing membrane. The pectoral fins are set on fleshy, lobe-like bases — a characteristic that has prompted many popular comparisons to early tetrapods. These pectoral fins are highly mobile and are used not only for swimming but also for propping the fish up on the substrate and even for rudimentary locomotion across damp surfaces.

The head is broad and somewhat flattened, equipped with small but functional eyes and a pair of prominent tubular nostrils that protrude from the snout. These external nares are a key sensory organ, giving the bichir an excellent sense of smell that compensates for its relatively poor eyesight. The mouth is wide and terminal, capable of engulfing surprisingly large prey items in a single strike. Juvenile Senegal Bichirs possess feathery external gills, reminiscent of those seen on larval amphibians, which are gradually reabsorbed as the fish matures and its lungs become fully functional.

Varieties and Morphs

The Senegal Bichir has become popular enough in captive breeding programmes that several colour morphs and variants are now readily available in the trade. While the standard wild-type colouration remains the most common form, selective breeding has produced a handful of visually striking alternatives.

The most widely seen captive-bred morph is the albino Senegal Bichir, which displays a pale golden to pinkish-white body with red or pink eyes. This morph is produced in large numbers by commercial breeders across Southeast Asia and is often priced only marginally above the wild-type. A closely related variant is the platinum Senegal Bichir, which appears a brighter, more uniformly white or silvery colour with dark eyes, distinguishing it from true albinos. Some sellers offer a leucistic variant under the same platinum label, and the precise terminology can vary between retailers.

The long-fin or dragonscale Senegal Bichir is a selectively bred form that exhibits slightly elongated fins and more pronounced scale ridging, giving it a somewhat more textured appearance. This variant is less commonly available and tends to command a higher price. Occasionally, delhezi-patterned or high-contrast grey morphs appear in shipments, though these are often the result of natural variation within wild-caught populations rather than deliberate selective breeding. A so-called “black” Senegal Bichir surfaces in the hobby from time to time, displaying notably darker pigmentation across the entire body, though this form is rare and its genetic basis is not well documented.

Regardless of the morph, care requirements remain identical. Albino and platinum specimens may be slightly more sensitive to bright lighting due to their reduced melanin, so providing ample shade and dim conditions is particularly important for these variants.

Natural Habitat

Polypterus senegalus occupies one of the broadest geographical ranges of any bichir species, found across much of West and Central Africa and extending into the Nile basin in the east. It inhabits a diverse array of freshwater environments including slow-moving rivers, floodplains, swamps, marshes, and the marginal shallows of lakes. In many of these habitats, the water is warm, soft to moderately hard, and often turbid with suspended sediment or stained by organic matter.

During the wet season, Senegal Bichirs take advantage of flooded grasslands and seasonal pools, dispersing widely to hunt and breed. When the dry season returns and these waters recede, they retreat to permanent rivers and deeper pools. Their ability to breathe atmospheric air via modified swim bladders is a critical adaptation for surviving in oxygen-depleted waters — a common condition in the stagnant, vegetation-choked habitats they prefer. They have even been observed making short overland journeys between bodies of water, propelling themselves with their pectoral fins, though this behaviour is more a survival mechanism than a regular mode of travel.

The substrate in their natural environment is typically a mixture of mud, sand, and decaying organic matter, interspersed with submerged roots, fallen branches, and dense aquatic vegetation. Bichirs are overwhelmingly nocturnal in the wild, spending daylight hours sheltering beneath cover and emerging after dark to forage along the bottom using their keen sense of smell.

Tank Size and Setup

A single Senegal Bichir requires a tank of at least 250 litres, and the footprint of the aquarium is more important than its height. A tank measuring roughly 120 cm in length and 45 cm in width is a sound starting point for one or two individuals. Because bichirs are obligate bottom-dwellers, tall, narrow tanks waste vertical space that the fish will rarely use. If you plan to keep a small group or house the bichir alongside other substantial species, increasing the tank size to 400 litres or more is strongly advisable.

The choice of substrate is worth careful consideration. Fine sand is the preferred option, as it allows the bichir to rest comfortably and does not risk damaging its sensitive barbels or ventral surface. Avoid sharp gravel or substrates with jagged edges. A layer of smooth river sand, approximately 3–5 cm deep, works well and can be supplemented with scattered smooth pebbles or flat stones to create a more natural aesthetic.

Cover is essential. Provide plenty of hiding places using pieces of driftwood, ceramic caves, PVC pipe sections, or dense plantings of hardy species such as Anubias, Java Fern, and Vallisneria. Senegal Bichirs are much more confident and less stressed when they have multiple retreats to choose from. Live plants can be used, but bear in mind that bichirs may uproot delicate specimens as they move about the tank at night, so attaching plants to hardscape is a practical approach.

A secure, tightly fitting lid is absolutely non-negotiable. Bichirs are notorious escape artists and will exploit even the smallest gap to climb out of an aquarium, particularly at night or when startled. Every opening for cables, airline tubing, and filter pipes must be sealed with foam, mesh, or similar material. More bichirs are lost to escape than to any disease, and a dried-out bichir discovered on the floor is one of the hobby’s most preventable tragedies.

Lighting should be subdued. Bichirs are crepuscular to nocturnal and will be more active and display more natural behaviour under low light or with the aid of a moonlight-simulating LED setting during evening hours. Floating plants such as Amazon Frogbit or Salvinia can help diffuse overhead light naturally.

Water Parameters

The Senegal Bichir is a tolerant species that adapts to a broad range of water conditions, which is part of the reason it is so well suited to captive life. Nevertheless, maintaining stable parameters within the recommended ranges will promote long-term health and reduce susceptibility to disease.

Temperature 24–28 °C
pH 6.0–7.5
General hardness (GH) 5–20 dGH
Carbonate hardness (KH) 3–12 dKH
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate Below 40 ppm

Consistency matters more than hitting an exact number. Sudden swings in temperature or pH can be far more harmful than a reading that sits slightly outside the ideal range. Weekly water changes of 25–30% are recommended to keep nitrate levels in check and to replenish trace minerals. When performing water changes, match the temperature and chemistry of the new water as closely as possible to that of the tank.

While bichirs can survive brief exposure to poor water quality thanks to their ability to breathe air, this should never be treated as an excuse for lax maintenance. Chronic exposure to elevated ammonia or nitrite will damage gills, stress the immune system, and shorten the fish’s lifespan considerably.

Filtration and Equipment

Effective biological and mechanical filtration is essential for any tank housing a Senegal Bichir. These are messy eaters that produce a substantial bioload relative to their size, particularly when fed a protein-rich diet. A canister filter rated for the total volume of your aquarium — or ideally one size up — is the most reliable choice. Canister filters offer excellent media capacity, quiet operation, and adjustable flow rates, all of which suit bichir keeping well.

Flow rate is an important consideration. Senegal Bichirs come from slow-moving or still waters and do not appreciate strong currents. Position the filter outlet to create gentle circulation rather than a powerful directional flow. A spray bar or lily pipe can help diffuse output across a wider area. If you notice your bichir constantly seeking shelter from the current or struggling to rest on the bottom, the flow is too strong and needs to be reduced or redirected.

A reliable heater, preferably one with a built-in thermostat and an external temperature controller for added safety, should maintain the tank at a stable temperature within the recommended range. Placing a heater guard around the unit is a wise precaution, as bichirs may rest against exposed heaters and sustain thermal burns.

Because bichirs regularly surface to gulp air, ensuring that there is always a pocket of warm, humid air between the water surface and the tank lid is important. A tightly sealed lid achieves this naturally. If the air above the water is significantly cooler than the water itself, it can cause respiratory irritation when the fish breathes at the surface. Aeration via an airstone is not strictly necessary given the bichir’s ability to breathe air, but moderate surface agitation does help maintain dissolved oxygen levels for the benefit of any tank mates and the biological filter.

Diet and Feeding

Senegal Bichirs are carnivores with a strong preference for meaty, protein-rich foods. In the wild, they feed on insect larvae, worms, crustaceans, and small fish, hunting primarily by scent along the substrate. In captivity, they readily accept a wide range of fresh, frozen, and prepared foods, though variety is key to ensuring balanced nutrition.

A staple diet can be built around high-quality sinking carnivore pellets or sticks, which provide a convenient and nutritionally complete base. Hikari Massivore, Northfin Predator, and similar products are well regarded among bichir keepers. Supplement this with frozen foods such as bloodworm, prawns, mysis shrimp, and lance fish. Earthworms collected from pesticide-free soil are an outstanding live food and are eagerly devoured by bichirs of all sizes. Chopped mussel, squid, and white fish fillet can also be offered occasionally to add diversity.

Live foods such as blackworms, earthworms, and gut-loaded feeder shrimp are excellent for encouraging natural hunting behaviour, though feeder fish should generally be avoided. Feeder fish carry a high risk of introducing parasites and diseases, and their nutritional profile is often poor unless they have been quarantined and properly conditioned — an impractical effort for most hobbyists.

Feed juveniles daily, offering as much as they will consume in a few minutes. Adults can be fed every other day, or three to four times per week, adjusting portions based on body condition. Bichirs are prone to obesity in captivity if overfed, so resist the temptation to offer food every time the fish appears to be searching the substrate. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent water quality deterioration. Because bichirs feed primarily by smell, they may take several minutes to locate food, so allow adequate time before assuming a meal has been rejected.

Behaviour and Temperament

The Senegal Bichir is a predominantly nocturnal fish with a calm, unhurried demeanour. During the day, it typically rests motionless on the substrate or concealed within its chosen hiding spot, becoming noticeably more active as the lights dim in the evening. Over time, many captive bichirs adjust their activity patterns somewhat and begin to emerge during the day, especially at feeding time, but their peak activity will always be during low-light hours.

Despite being a predator, the Senegal Bichir is not an aggressive fish. It is generally indifferent to tank mates that it cannot fit into its mouth, and it rarely displays territorial aggression outside of breeding contexts. That said, it is an opportunistic feeder, and any fish small enough to be swallowed will eventually be consumed — this is predation, not aggression, and must be accounted for when selecting companions.

Senegal Bichirs can be kept singly, in pairs, or in small groups. When multiple bichirs are housed together, there is typically very little conflict, though occasional minor squabbles over preferred hiding spots or food can occur. Providing multiple shelters and feeding in several locations simultaneously will reduce competition. These fish do not school or shoal in any meaningful sense, but they appear comfortable in the presence of conspecifics and may sometimes be found resting together in the same cave or under the same piece of driftwood.

One of the most endearing behaviours of captive bichirs is their tendency to “walk” along the substrate using their pectoral fins, a slow, deliberate gait that underscores their evolutionary connection to the earliest land-dwelling vertebrates. They will also frequently surface to gulp air, a behaviour that is entirely normal and should not cause alarm unless it becomes frantic and constant, which may indicate poor water quality.

Tank Mates

Choosing appropriate tank mates for the Senegal Bichir requires a clear understanding of the species’ predatory nature and its preference for calm, low-aggression environments. Suitable companions are those that are too large to be eaten, peaceful enough not to harass the bichir, and adapted to similar water conditions. Avoid anything small enough to fit in the bichir’s mouth — a good rule of thumb is that any fish shorter than approximately half the bichir’s total body length is at risk.

Good tank mates

Fish to avoid

Breeding

Breeding Senegal Bichirs in captivity is achievable but requires patience, careful preparation, and a degree of experience. It is not a species that will spawn spontaneously in a standard community aquarium. Sexual dimorphism is subtle: mature males can be identified by their noticeably thicker and wider anal fin, which develops into a paddle-like structure used to cup and fertilise the eggs during spawning. Females tend to be slightly heavier-bodied, particularly when gravid.

To trigger breeding, many hobbyists simulate the onset of the rainy season by performing large, slightly cooler water changes over a period of several weeks and gradually increasing the temperature back to the upper end of the acceptable range. Conditioning both sexes with a rich diet of live and frozen foods in the weeks leading up to breeding attempts helps ensure the female produces a healthy clutch of eggs.

When ready to spawn, the male will pursue the female with increasing intensity, positioning himself alongside her and wrapping his enlarged anal fin around hers to form a cup into which she deposits small batches of eggs. He fertilises the eggs within this cup and then scatters them onto fine-leaved plants, spawning mops, or other surfaces. The entire spawning process can last several hours and may produce anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred eggs.

Once spawning is complete, the adults should be removed or the eggs should be transferred to a separate rearing tank, as the parents will readily eat both eggs and fry. The eggs typically hatch within three to four days at around 26–28 °C. Newly hatched fry possess external gills and initially survive on their yolk sacs. Once free-swimming, they can be fed freshly hatched brine shrimp, micro-worms, and finely chopped blackworms. Growth is steady but not rapid, and fry should be sorted by size as they develop to prevent cannibalism among siblings.

Common Diseases

Senegal Bichirs are generally hardy fish, but their ancient physiology does present some unique health considerations. One of the most common ailments is infestation by Macrogyrodactylus polypteri, a large monogenean fluke that is nearly endemic to wild-caught bichirs. These parasites attach to the skin and fins, causing irritation, excess mucus production, and a characteristic “flashing” behaviour as the fish rubs against objects to relieve the discomfort. Treatment with praziquantel, administered either as a bath or mixed into food, is highly effective against these flukes and should be considered a routine measure when acquiring any new bichir.

Bacterial infections can arise from poor water quality or physical injury, often manifesting as reddened patches on the skin, fin erosion, or ulceration. Maintaining pristine water conditions is the most effective preventive measure, and mild infections often resolve with improved husbandry alone. More serious cases may require treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is worth noting that bichirs are sensitive to many common aquarium medications, particularly those containing copper and formalin, so always research the safety of any treatment before dosing.

Obesity is an underappreciated but common problem in captive bichirs. These fish have hearty appetites and will eat as much as is offered, leading to fatty deposits around the internal organs that can shorten lifespan and impair reproductive health. Feeding appropriately sized meals on an every-other-day schedule for adults is the simplest way to prevent this.

Physical injury from escape attempts is another frequent issue. Bichirs that manage to leave the tank can survive for a surprisingly long time out of water thanks to their lung-like swim bladders, but they often sustain abrasions and desiccation damage. If you find an escaped bichir that is still alive, return it to the tank immediately and monitor closely for secondary infections. A tightly sealed lid prevents this scenario entirely.

FAQs

Can Senegal Bichirs breathe air?

Yes, they can. Senegal Bichirs possess a pair of modified swim bladders that function much like primitive lungs, allowing them to extract oxygen from atmospheric air. You will regularly see your bichir rising to the surface to take a gulp of air before sinking back to the bottom. This is entirely normal behaviour and is not a sign of distress unless it becomes excessively frequent, which may indicate low dissolved oxygen levels or poor water quality in the tank.

Will a Senegal Bichir eat my other fish?

A Senegal Bichir will attempt to eat any fish that can fit into its mouth, and its mouth is larger than it might appear. Small species such as neon tetras, guppies, and endlers will almost certainly be consumed, particularly at night when the bichir is most active. Choose tank mates that are robust and at least half the total length of the bichir to minimise predation risk.

How large does a Senegal Bichir grow?

In captivity, most Senegal Bichirs reach between 25 and 30 cm in total length, with some exceptional specimens occasionally exceeding this. They are one of the smaller Polypterus species, which is part of their appeal for hobbyists who lack the space for larger bichirs such as Polypterus endlicherii or Polypterus bichir, which can reach 50 cm or more.

Do Senegal Bichirs need a heater?

In most household settings, yes. Senegal Bichirs require a stable temperature between 24 and 28 °C, which is above typical room temperature in the United Kingdom and much of Europe. A reliable aquarium heater with a thermostat is necessary to maintain appropriate conditions, and a heater guard is recommended to prevent the bichir from resting against the unit and sustaining burns.

Can I keep a Senegal Bichir in a planted aquarium?

You can, but with some caveats. Bichirs are not herbivorous and will not deliberately damage plants, but their nocturnal wandering and bottom-dwelling habits mean they may uproot delicate or loosely planted specimens. Hardy, well-anchored plants such as Anubias attached to driftwood, Java Fern tied to rocks, and robust root-feeders like Vallisneria tend to fare best. Floating plants are particularly useful for providing shade and diffusing light without being disturbed by the fish.

Related Guides

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *