Can bichirs live with paradise fish?

Verdict
No

No. Bichirs and paradise fish should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.

BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Paradise fishParadise fish61–79°F · pH 6–8

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 72–79°Bichir 72–82°Paradise fish 61–79°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bichir 6.5–7.5Paradise fish 6–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bichir · 12 inParadise fish · 3.5 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

BichirParadise fish
Temperature72–82 °F61–79 °F
pH6.5–7.56–8
Adult size12.0 in3.5 in
Minimum tank75 gal20 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomTop
GroupAlone or in pairsOne per tank
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for bichirs

All bichir tank mates

Better tank mates for paradise fish

All paradise fish tank mates

Questions

Can bichirs live with paradise fish?

No. Bichirs and paradise fish should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3.5 inches paradise fish do.

What temperature suits both bichirs and paradise fish?

72–79 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, paradise fish need 61–79 °F.

What size tank do bichirs and paradise fish need together?

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