Can Neon Blue Goby and Senegal Bichir Live Together?

Neon Blue Goby is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Senegal Bichir is moderately assertive (6/10). This modest difference means Senegal Bichir may occasionally assert dominance over Neon Blue Goby.

Neon Blue Goby and Senegal Bichir both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

There is a critical concern: the Nano / Bite-sized (Predation Risk) behaviour of one fish directly conflicts with the Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish) trait of the other — piscivorous fish will prey on nano-sized tank mates..

Additional behavioural considerations to keep in mind: Shrimp eaters may also prey on very small nano fish.

Worth noting: Senegal Bichir is nocturnal and will be most active after lights-out, naturally reducing daytime encounters. Also, Senegal Bichir is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

The safe temperature window for both species falls between 25°C and 28°C. Aim for the midpoint of this range (around 26.5°C) for optimal comfort.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 5–12 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range. An aquarium test kit is recommended for monitoring.

To house Neon Blue Goby and Senegal Bichir together, plan for an aquarium of at least 240 litres with a minimum length of 120 cm. This accounts for the larger species' space requirements with an additional 20 % buffer to reduce territorial tension.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Established Algae (Otocinclus), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Sand (Sifters), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Neon Blue Goby prefers High (River/Stream) flow while Senegal Bichir needs Low (Still Water) flow. Consider positioning filter outlets and using baffles to create zones of different current intensity within the same tank.

Feeding time deserves special attention with this pairing. Senegal Bichir is a known shrimp eater and may prey on small invertebrates or nano fish like Neon Blue Goby.