Can bichirs live with odessa barbs?

Verdict
No

No. Bichirs and odessa barbs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches odessa barbs do.

BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Odessa barbOdessa barb70–79°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 72–79°Bichir 72–82°Odessa barb 70–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bichir 6.5–7.5Odessa barb 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bichir · 12 inOdessa barb · 3 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

BichirOdessa barb
Temperature72–82 °F70–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size12.0 in3.0 in
Minimum tank75 gal30 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 odessa barbs

All odessa barb tank mates

Questions

Can bichirs live with odessa barbs?

No. Bichirs and odessa barbs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches odessa barbs do.

What temperature suits both bichirs and odessa barbs?

72–79 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, odessa barbs need 70–79 °F.

What size tank do bichirs and odessa barbs need together?

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