Edit Polypterus bichir
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Polypterus bichir
Described by
Authority Lacepède, Year 1803
Family
Polypteridae
Common names
Nile Bichir
Photograph credits
Not recorded
Summary
The Nile bichir, Polypterus bichir, is a large bichir recorded from Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia and Chad west to Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea-Bissa…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
720mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 22–28°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
5–25dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Not recorded
Social needs
Not recorded
Community suitability
Not recorded
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Gambia
Writing
Etymology
Not written yet
Distribution
A widespread species it has been recorded in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Chad, Ghana and GuineaBissau. It is usually found in shall…
Habitat
A widespread species it has been recorded in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Chad, Ghana and GuineaBissau. It is usually found in shall…
Aquarium size
180 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm - ~648 litres.
Maintenance
Floor space is more important than depth with this species. A soft substrate with pieces of driftwood and smooth rocks arranged to form hiding places is ideal.…
Water conditions
Temperature: 22 – 28 °C pH: 6.0-8.0 Hardness: 5-25 dH
Diet
P. bichir is carnivorous by nature and will not usually accept dried foods in aquaria, though some specimens have been known to take pelleted varieties. The mo…
Behaviour and compatibility
Not to be trusted with tankmates it can fit in its mouth but is relatively peaceful otherwise. Suitable tankmates include other Polypterus species, Synodontis,…
Sexual dimorphism
The male has a thicker anal fin than the female.
Reproduction
Not recorded in captivity but is thought to breed in a similar way to other Polypterus species. This species breeds during the rainy season in nature. Changes …
Notes
An incredibly hardy, nocturnal species with very poor vision, P. bichir relies on its excellent sense of smell to locate food. This species, along with others …
References
References
No references