Can bichirs live with chili rasboras?
Verdict
No
No. Bichirs and chili rasboras should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 0.8 inches chili rasboras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 0.8 inches chili rasboras do.
- Watch outBichirs grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for chili rasboras.
What works
- Both are fine at 75–82°F.
- pH 6.5–7 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bichirs the bottom, chili rasboras the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Bichir | Chili rasbora | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 75–82 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 4–7 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 0.8 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 5 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 8+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for bichirs
Better tank mates for chili rasboras
Questions
Can bichirs live with chili rasboras?
No. Bichirs and chili rasboras should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 0.8 inches chili rasboras do.
What temperature suits both bichirs and chili rasboras?
75–82 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, chili rasboras need 75–82 °F.
What size tank do bichirs and chili rasboras need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.