Can Shovelnose Sturgeon and Weeksi Bichir Live Together?

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

Shovelnose Sturgeon and Weeksi 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.

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

There is no temperature overlap between Shovelnose Sturgeon (10–22°C) and Weeksi Bichir (24–28°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.8 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 8–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

To house Shovelnose Sturgeon and Weeksi Bichir together, plan for an aquarium of at least 3000 litres with a minimum length of 300 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

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: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding), Leaf Litter/Blackwater. Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

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

Shovelnose Sturgeon and Weeksi Bichir are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.