What fish can live with Senegal bichir?

Use the "Often compatible" lists as a shortlist, not a stocking plan. Always run the pair tool and check the footprint of your actual tank first. Verify behaviour for Senegal bichir against your own reading before you buy.

What tank mates should you avoid with Senegal bichir?

Avoid Chili Rasbora, Guppy, Ember Tetra, German Blue Ram, Pea Puffer based on size, temperament, or predation risk on file.

What size tank do Senegal bichir need for a community?

A 35 cm predatory fish that needs a long footprint, not just volume. Adults realistically want a 300 L or larger tank with at least a 120 cm length. A standard 200 L is too short to let the fish turn or settle. Seriously Fish and PlanetCatfish independently put the realistic adult minimum at 300 L or more.

Senegal bichir tank mates

A primitive armoured fish at 35 cm that breathes air and eats any fish that fits in its mouth. Peaceful with fish its own size or larger.

Evidence: partially verified

Confidence: high

Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.

← Full Senegal bichir profile·Compatibility checker·Tank builder·More oddball

Best tank mates (on file)

Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.

Bala / silver shark Pair check
The Senegal bichir profile lists Bala / silver shark as both safe and a recommended pairing. Bala / silver shark schools in groups of 5 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
Congo Tetra Pair check
The Senegal bichir profile lists Congo Tetra as both safe and a recommended pairing. Congo Tetra schools in groups of 8 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Congo Tetra grows to about 8cm, which is borderline mouth-size for an adult 35cm Senegal bichir.
Giant danio Pair check
The Senegal bichir profile lists Giant danio as both safe and a recommended pairing. Giant danio schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Giant danio grows to about 11cm, which is borderline mouth-size for an adult 35cm Senegal bichir.
Tinfoil barb Pair check
The Senegal bichir profile lists Tinfoil barb as both safe and a recommended pairing. Tinfoil barb schools in groups of 5 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.

Risky or situational

From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.

Neon Tetra Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Corydoras Catfish Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Dwarf Gourami Open pair check
Both species defend territory. The pairing needs a long footprint and rockwork or planting that breaks the sightline between two defended spots. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Angelfish Open pair check
Angelfish is flagged predatory. Equal-size adults usually coexist, but the moment one is stressed, sick, or smaller after a moult, it becomes prey. Both species defend territory. The pairing needs a long footprint and rockwork or planting that breaks the sightline between two defended spots. Angelfish is rated semi-aggressive, so expect chasing, fin damage, or display behaviour directed at Senegal bichir. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Boesemani Rainbowfish Open pair check
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.

Fish to avoid with Senegal bichir

From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.

Chili Rasbora See why (pair)
Senegal bichir is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Chili Rasbora at 2cm is well within an adult Senegal bichir's gape.
Guppy See why (pair)
Senegal bichir is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Guppy at 5cm is well within an adult Senegal bichir's gape.
Ember Tetra See why (pair)
Senegal bichir is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Ember Tetra at 2cm is well within an adult Senegal bichir's gape.
German Blue Ram See why (pair)
Senegal bichir is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and German Blue Ram at 7cm is well within an adult Senegal bichir's gape.
Pea Puffer See why (pair)
Senegal bichir is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Pea Puffer at 3cm is well within an adult Senegal bichir's gape.

Tank size and groups

Published minimum for Senegal bichir: 300L — group minimum 1 .
Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 300L hub.

Easier alternatives to consider

Conservative beginner-peaceful picks from the library — not replacements for reading, but a shorter on-ramp than this species for a first tank.

Plan before you buy

Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.

Open compatibility checker Tank builder

Filtration & heating

A 300L minimum tank for Senegal bichir needs a filter rated for at least 1200L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 24–30°C.

Filter buying guide →Heater buying guide →Beginner plants guide →