Edit Polypterus ornatipinnis

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Name

Scientific name

Polypterus ornatipinnis

Described by

Authority Boulenger, Year 1902

Family

Polypteridae

Common names

Ornate Bichir

Photograph credits

All 2 credited

Summary

The ornate bichir, Polypterus ornatipinnis, is a nocturnal bichir from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Angola and Tanz…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

600mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 25–28°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

5–25dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

DR Congo, Tanzania, Lake Tanganyika

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Angola, Tanzania. It is found in rivers, ponds, marshes and lakes, including Tanganyika.

Habitat

Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Angola, Tanzania. It is found in rivers, ponds, marshes and lakes, including Tanganyika.

Aquarium size

180 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm - ~648 litres for an adult fish.

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: 25 – 28 °C pH: 6.0-8.0 Hardness: 5-25°H

Diet

P. ornatipinnis is carnivorous by nature and will not usually accept dried foods in aquaria, though some specimens have been known to take pelleted varieties. …

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

Has been achieved in aquaria but details are very scarce. As this species breeds during the rainy season in nature, changes in the temperature and chemistry of…

Has been achieved in aquaria but details are very scarce. As this species breeds during the rainy season in nature, changes in the temperature and chemistry of the water are likely to induce spawning behaviour. A large tank is required and should contain soft, slightly acidic water. It is an egg scatterer and therefore areas of dense planting and/or spawning mops should be provided. Courtship involves chasing and nudging of the female by the male. During spawning itself, the male receives the eggs from the female by cupping his anal and caudal fins around her genitals. He then fertilises the eggs before scattering them amongst vegetation. At this point, the adult fish should be removed as they may predate upon the eggs. The eggs hatch in 3-4 days, with the fry becoming free swimming around 3 days later. First foods should be brine shrimp nauplii or microworm. Apparently the fry are not particularly mobile, so care should be exercised to ensure they are well fed.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Notes

An incredibly hardy, nocturnal species with very poor vision, P. ornatipinnis relies on its excellent sense of smell to locate food. This species along with ot…

References

No references

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References