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Compatibility

Compatibility brief

Can Guppy live with Senegal bichir?

VerdictRISKY

Risky. This mix is commonly discouraged for typical setups.

Guppy + Senegal bichir: Senegal bichir may eat Guppy. Senegal bichir (35cm) is predatory and Guppy (5cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe. Real tanks add variables Fishori cannot model; treat this as a high-risk read, not certainty.

Compatibility score

30/100

Profile confidence: medium

Order of checkstank volume vs adults → predation mouth gap → temperament / fin nipping → shared water windows.

Min tank

300L

Combined minimum footprint reference for these two species: about 300L (larger active fish often want more length).

Temperature
Range in °C2428°C shared
GuppySenegal bichirShared window
pH
Range6.87.5 shared
GuppySenegal bichirShared window
Size / predation

Senegal bichir (35cm adult) may treat small Guppy (~5cm) as food once grown — plan adult sizes, not shop sizes.

Temperament / behaviour

Temperament gap (peaceful vs semi-aggressive) — can work with space, structure, and careful observation, but not a “drop and forget” mix.

Assessment details

  1. Temperament difference

    Senegal bichir is semi-aggressive, while Guppy is peaceful. This can work with adequate space and hiding spots, but monitor for bullying.

  2. Senegal bichir may eat Guppy

    Top issue

    Senegal bichir (35cm) is predatory and Guppy (5cm) is small enough to be eaten. This pairing is unsafe.

  3. Compatible temperature range

    Both fish can comfortably share similar water temperatures.

Senegal bichir (35cm) is predatory and Guppy (5cm) is small…

Senegal bichir may eat Guppy

Next steps

Concrete changes, not "research more" filler.

  • Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Guppy can escape if harassed.

Try instead

  • Provide plenty of hiding spots and visual breaks so Guppy can escape if harassed.
  • Build a species-only tank for the larger fish, or restock with fish too large to be eaten at adult sizes.
Sources from both profiles
Only URLs that exist on the species records are shown. We do not fabricate citations.
  • Seriously Fish. Poecilia reticulata

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility (URL verified in upgrade script; recheck if site content changes).

  • FishBase. Poecilia reticulata

    Secondary: taxonomy, distribution, and maximum length in nature; cross-check with aquarium import lines and measured tank parameters.

  • Wikipedia. Poecilia reticulata

    Secondary: general species context; verify all husbandry numbers against a dedicated aquarium care sheet and your test kit, not a single table row.

  • Wikipedia. Guppy

    Encyclopaedia overview; use specialist aquarium sources for your stock's real temperature/pH/footprint needs.

  • Seriously Fish. Polypterus senegalus (subspecies: senegalus)

    Primary: aquarium size, water chemistry, behaviour, and compatibility for the Cuvier bichir complex; Seriously Fish slugs the subspecific form. Use as the vetted care profile even when retailers only print Polypterus senegalus.

  • FishBase. Polypterus senegalus

    Secondary: range-wide data and size for the complex; reconcile with the exact import's locality when biologists care more than a shop price tag does.

Try this next

Build the full stocking list with Guppy + Senegal bichir

Plan further

Try both species in the full-stock tank check, or open either fish profile for mates lists. Methodology explains how verdicts are produced.

Individual fish vary in personality. Fishori uses conservative hobby rules. Observe any new introduction closely, feed thoughtfully, and keep a quarantine or backup plan. This is not veterinary advice.

Profile data confidence: high. Based on multiple reputable aquarium care sources with strong agreement.

Related pair checks

Other tank mates for Guppy

Instead of Senegal bichir, consider

These are among Guppy's safer tank mates on file — check each pair individually.