Can rainbow sharks live with bichirs?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Rainbow sharks and bichirs can share a tank, but watch one thing. Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

Rainbow sharkRainbow shark72–80°F · pH 6.5–7.5 BichirBichir72–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

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

Size to scale

Rainbow shark · 6 inBichir · 12 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

Rainbow sharkBichir
Temperature72–80 °F72–82 °F
pH6.5–7.56.5–7.5
Adult size6.0 in12.0 in
Minimum tank55 gal75 gal
TemperamentSemi-aggressiveSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupOne per tankAlone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for rainbow sharks

All rainbow shark tank mates

Better tank mates for bichirs

All bichir tank mates

Questions

Can rainbow sharks live with bichirs?

Yes, with care. Rainbow sharks and bichirs can share a tank, but watch one thing. Rainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.

What temperature suits both rainbow sharks and bichirs?

72–80 °F. Rainbow sharks need 72–80 °F, bichirs need 72–82 °F.

What size tank do rainbow sharks and bichirs need together?

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