Re: Bichir question 11/13/08
Thanks so much for the info. I'm definitely going to try the bloodworm suggestion. If that doesn't work, then I'll separate them.
<Suspect this may be on the cards anyway, but certainly worth trying alternative foods. Bichirs don't normally "play nicely" with each other, and all species can exhibit some degree of snappiness as they mature.>
But will that be setting me up for aggression issues later on if I try to reintroduce them?
<Almost certainly yes; once territorial fish have established their territories, adding rival fish to the tank, particularly smaller/weaker ones, tends to work out badly.>
They get along fine (other than possible food fights) now. Thanks.
<Bichirs are really best kept one to a tank. Possibly in a larger group you might dilute aggression, and if none could hold a territory, then no-one becomes the bully. This is why fish in retailer's tanks often seem peaceful: they're overcrowded. This isn't always viable in the home aquarium though because of water quality issues. Life may be easier for you to put one Bichir in each tank and be done with it. Cheers, Neale.>

Re: Ornate Bichir; diet, social behaviour... comp., sys.    8/8/08
Hello again, sorry for sending so many e-mails...
<Getting used to it!>
You mentioned in the previous e-mail that Oscars are good companions, yet when I read the FAQ and profile section for the Oscar, they seem to be rather aggressive. The Ornate Bichir is hardy, but I'm not sure if the Oscar will constantly pester the Bichir, as it is slow compared to the Cichlid. I'm also not sure if the 120 litre tank can hold the Oscar when it grows larger (not sure how fast they grow).
<Oscars are territorial and aggressive when spawning. And by community fish standards, they're entirely unsuitable for maintenance with, say, Angelfish! But for a big fish they are relatively docile and work perfectly well with anything they don't view as either food or a rival. They mix well with large, peaceful Polypterus spp.>
Also:-
<Hmm...?>
"Oversized and tough are by-words here. Oscars are messy fishes to put it gently... and destructive toward objects like siphons and tubing in their systems. Outside power filters (more than one) are fine IF they are of the type that pull water into their boxes (versus gravity fed siphons), and even these are better retrofitted with suction cups on their in-tank parts. Canister filters of good design are fine, but must be regularly (as in weekly) removed for cleaning. Ideal arrangements for Oscar systems include outside sump type filtration fitted with external pumps and internal overflows and returns. Whatever mechanical means you set upon, make the filtration easy to maintain and over-size in terms of capacity and flow."
<All pretty accurate.>
"Heaters, filter parts, tubing... are all just play things to Oscars. Hide, remote, attach with suction cups... anything you want to stay in place... for a while."
<Yep.>
From the article on your website, they seem to cause problems with the filter equipment. The 120 litre tank I have is run by the "bubblelator" and box filter system with a UV light attachment, that means the Oscar will/might disturb my filter system right?
<Oscars will move/uproot/destroy anything they can. Partly its territorial, and partly its curiosity. In any case you need to use robust equipment and put as much as you can *outside* the tank. For example external heaters that you add to the external canister filter return tube works better than sticking a glass heater inside the tank.>
Also you mentioned medium sized Severums would be good as well, Heros Severus is quite peaceful from the article and it seems relatively well sized as well as pH range, good to keep with Ornate Bichir?
<Would be ideal. Other Heros species likewise, such as the amazing 'Rotkeil' (or "red head") Heros appendiculatus if you can find it. Traded but expensive here in England. But stunning fish.>
Thanks.
- Gene
<Cheers, Neale.>