Can pea puffers live with bichirs?
Verdict
No
No. Pea puffers and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pea puffers do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pea puffers do.
- Watch outPea puffers are aggressive. Bichirs hold their own only in a big tank with places to hide.
- Watch outBichirs grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pea puffers.
What works
- Both are fine at 74–82°F.
- pH 7–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Pea puffer | Bichir | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 74–82 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 1.0 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 5 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | All levels | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for pea puffers
Better tank mates for bichirs
Questions
Can pea puffers live with bichirs?
No. Pea puffers and bichirs should not share a tank. An adult bichir eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1 inches pea puffers do.
What temperature suits both pea puffers and bichirs?
74–82 °F. Pea puffers need 74–82 °F, bichirs need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do pea puffers and bichirs need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the bichir. Add space for each extra fish.