Congo bichir
Polypterus congicus
- Tank length
- 300 cmabout 10 ft (118 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C73–82 °F
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 55 cm22 in
- Lifespan
- 15–25 yrs
One of the largest bichirs; plan for a fish approaching a metre with a footprint to match and only very large tankmates.One of the largest bichirs; plan for a fish approaching a metre with a footprint to match and only very large tankmates.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Acei cichlid
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- African butterfly cichlid
Congo bichir may eat African butterfly cichlidCongo bichir may eat African butterfly cichlid
- African clawed frog
Congo bichir may eat African clawed frogCongo bichir may eat African clawed frog
- Agassiz's cory
Congo bichir may eat Agassiz's coryCongo bichir may eat Agassiz's cory
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
Congo bichir may eat Ajamaru rainbowfishCongo bichir may eat Ajamaru rainbowfish
Amano shrimpCongo bichir may eat Amano shrimpCongo bichir may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Congo bichir may eat American flagfishCongo bichir may eat American flagfish
- Angfa rainbowfish
Congo bichir may eat Angfa rainbowfishCongo bichir may eat Angfa rainbowfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Congo bichir may eat Arfak rainbowfishCongo bichir may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailCongo bichir may eat Assassin snailCongo bichir may eat Assassin snail
- Banded gourami
Congo bichir may eat Banded gouramiCongo bichir may eat Banded gourami
- Bandit cory
Congo bichir may eat Bandit coryCongo bichir may eat Bandit cory
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 23–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 6–16 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Congo basin and Lake Tanganyika | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | sedentary | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 15–25 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 36 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 300 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |