Best for
Aquariums where its role fits: predator.
S
Fish · Freshwater
Senegal bichir
Polypterus senegalus
Senegal bichir is a popular community aquarium fish.
Difficulty
Beginner
Aggression
4/10
Schooling
Yes
Size
5.00 cm
Minimum volume
40 L
Temperature
22.0-28.0 ºC
Zone
Bottom
Lifespan
5 years
Quick profile scan
fish
Territoriality
Medium
Aggression
4/10
Activity
Slow
Thermal sensitivity
Medium
Bioload
High
Speed
Slow
Predation risk
Structural
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Analyze volume, parameters, behavior and relationships with other species.
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Quick verdict
A practical summary to quickly decide whether it fits your aquarium.
Avoid
Small prey or vulnerable invertebrates if adults may harass them.
Typical risk
Bioload and adult volume should be planned with margin.
Aquarium zone
Where it lives best
Surface
Midwater
Bottom
primary
Quick compatibility
Community signals
Shrimp
High risk
Snails
Conditional
Slow fish
Compatible
Aggressive fish
Conditional
Small fish
Not recommended
Large fish
Conditional
Delicate plants
Conditional
Buying decision
Before buying Senegal bichir
Review these points before adding it to your aquarium. They are practical notes based on its profile, ecological data, and known relationships.
L
Adult volume
Make sure your aquarium is above 40 L before buying it.
G
Minimum group
Do not keep it alone if it needs a group; plan space for the right number of individuals.
P
Prey risk
Do not mix it with fish or invertebrates that may fit in its adult mouth.
B
Bioload
Plan filtration, water changes, and total stocking: this species can heavily load the system.
Parameters
Water conditions
pH
6.5 - 7.5
GH
5 - 15
KH
3 - 10
Temperature
22.0 - 28.0 ºC
Growth and behavior
Juvenile to adult
Juvenile
Juveniles may look more tolerant, but they already show exploratory and opportunistic behavior. Plan the community around adult size, not only the young stage.
Shift
The most important adult change is increased spatial and biological pressure, so the aquarium should be planned for the long term.
Adult
As an adult it strongly shapes the community through size, mouth capacity and feeding behavior. It should only be kept with robust, proportionate species and enough space.
Ecological profile
Role and biological pressure
Predator
Predator
Large
High
Moderate
Structural
Profile: predatory species, with high bioload and primary use of the bottom. It can adapt to calm communities, although it usually behaves better with compatible companions. It should not be mixed with fish or invertebrates small enough to fit in its mouth.
Ecological radar
profile
Territoriality
52%
Aggression
40%
Activity
24%
Thermal sensitivity
52%
Bioload
78%
Common mistakes
What to avoid
Keeping it in tanks below the recommended adult volume.
Keeping too few individuals for a social species.
Mixing it with species small enough to become prey.
Essential care
Keep in groups of at least 6 specimens. It prefers tanks with open swimming space, some current and weekly water changes.
Daily time
10 min
Breeding
It is an egg-laying fish and relatively easy to breed. It scatters eggs among plants or over the substrate and provides no parental care.
Oviparous
Easy
Hembras más redondeadas y robustas. Machos más esbeltos y algo más amarillentos.
Alerts and health
- Mantener en grupo
- Espacio para nadar
- Acuario tapado
- Corriente suave a moderada
Common issues
Ich
Podredumbre de aletas
Parásitos externos
Expert notes
Interesting details
01
Es una de las especies más usadas en investigación biomédica
02
Sus rayas permanecen visibles durante toda la vida
03
Es un pez muy activo y gregario
Editorial confidence
Last review: June 2026
Content based on parameters, ecological profiles and manual relationships.
Profile data
Ecological profile
Manual relationships
General aquarium observation
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