Bichir and Cichlids

Question
I would like to get a bichir and currently have a 55 gallon tank with 4 African cichlids in it. I also have a 10 gallon tank with nothing in it currently. I was wondering if I could get a bichir and but it in the 10 gallon tank until it out grew it and move it to the 55 gallon tank? If so what kind of bichir as well?

Thank you

Answer
Nick -

Although you have a large aquarium, I would not suggest combining a bichir with African cichlids.

If you are familiar with cichlids, there are two varieties: African and South American.  The two should not be combined, although they have been successfully before.  If you know about bichirs, they are typically from South America and therefore should not be combined with the cichlids you currently own.

However, if you would still like to add a bichir (as nothing is impossible and your tank inhabitants may all actually get along fine), here are a few words of advice:

1. Ensure that you have plenty of hiding spaces for all of the fish (caves, rocks, plants, etc.)

2. Keep an extremely tight lid on the aquarium - bichirs are able to breathe outside of water and require oxygen and will escape from the aquarium and roam around in the outside world.

3. Make sure all fish are fed regularly to avoid excessive aggressiveness.

Also keep in mind that a bichir will be more calm with fish larger than itself and will not fit into it's mouth and become a meal(but in this case with the cichlids, if the bichir is much smaller than they are, it may be food to them).

I wouldn't suggest placing a bichir in a 10-gallon aquarium as they grow to be large and the 10-gallon aquarium will not be suitable for long.

Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!