Can bichirs live with pencilfish?
Verdict
No
No. Bichirs and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
- Watch outBichirs grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pencilfish.
What works
- Both are fine at 75–82°F.
- pH 6.5–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: bichirs the bottom, pencilfish the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Bichir | Pencilfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–82 °F | 75–82 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 15 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 pencilfish
Questions
Can bichirs live with pencilfish?
No. Bichirs and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What temperature suits both bichirs and pencilfish?
75–82 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, pencilfish need 75–82 °F.
What size tank do bichirs and pencilfish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.