Can bichirs live with cherry barbs?

Verdict
No

No. Bichirs and cherry barbs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.

BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Cherry barbCherry barb73–81°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 73–81°Bichir 72–82°Cherry barb 73–81°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bichir 6.5–7.5Cherry barb 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bichir · 12 inCherry barb · 2 in0"2"4"6"8"10"12"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

BichirCherry barb
Temperature72–82 °F73–81 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size12.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank75 gal20 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressivePeaceful
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for bichirs

All bichir tank mates

Better tank mates for cherry barbs

All cherry barb tank mates

Questions

Can bichirs live with cherry barbs?

No. Bichirs and cherry barbs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches cherry barbs do.

What temperature suits both bichirs and cherry barbs?

73–81 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, cherry barbs need 73–81 °F.

What size tank do bichirs and cherry barbs need together?

At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.