Can bichirs live with rosy barbs?

Verdict
No

No. Bichirs and rosy barbs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches rosy barbs do.

BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5 Rosy barbRosy barb64–77°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 72–77°Bichir 72–82°Rosy barb 64–77°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 6.5–7.5Bichir 6.5–7.5Rosy barb 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Bichir · 12 inRosy barb · 4 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

BichirRosy barb
Temperature72–82 °F64–77 °F
pH6.5–7.56–7.5
Adult size12.0 in4.0 in
Minimum tank75 gal30 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomMiddle
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietCarnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for bichirs

All bichir tank mates

Better tank mates for rosy barbs

All rosy barb tank mates

Questions

Can bichirs live with rosy barbs?

No. Bichirs and rosy barbs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 4 inches rosy barbs do.

What temperature suits both bichirs and rosy barbs?

72–77 °F. Bichirs need 72–82 °F, rosy barbs need 64–77 °F.

What size tank do bichirs and rosy barbs need together?

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