Can bichirs live with harlequin rasboras?
Verdict
No
No. Bichirs and harlequin rasboras should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches harlequin rasboras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches harlequin rasboras do.
- Watch outBichirs grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for harlequin rasboras.
What works
- Both are fine at 72–80°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bichirs the bottom, harlequin rasboras the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Bichir | Harlequin rasbora | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 72–80 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 6–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 10 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for bichirs
Better tank mates for harlequin rasboras
All harlequin rasbora tank mates
Questions
Can bichirs live with harlequin rasboras?
No. Bichirs and harlequin rasboras should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches harlequin rasboras do.
What temperature suits both bichirs and harlequin rasboras?
72–80 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, harlequin rasboras need 72–80 °F.
What size tank do bichirs and harlequin rasboras need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.