From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Senegal Bichir
Polypterus senegalus
- Temperature
- 25–29 °C
- pH
- 6.5 – 8
- Min. tank size
- 300 L
- Lifespan
- 10-15 years
- Diet
- carnivore
- Care level
- moderate
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Polypterus senegalus |
| Family: | Polypteridae |
| Origin: | Africa (rivers, swamps and floodplains across much of the continent) |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | moderate |
| Diet: | carnivore |
| Max Size: | 35.50 cm |
| Water Type: | freshwater |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Temperament: | semi aggressive |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | No cultivated colour strains in the usual sense, though a few selections circulate. Albino Senegal bichirs are widely available — pale cream-pink fish with red eyes, identical in care. Platinum and leucistic forms appear occasionally, and short-bodied "balloon" bichirs have been produced and are best avoided for the usual reasons. The species itself is variable across an enormous range covering at least twenty-six African countries, and two subspecies are recognised. Many other Polypterus reach the trade and differ mainly in adult size, which is the thing to check before buying. The delhezi, palmas and ornate bichirs are all commonly sold; the ornate (P. ornatipinnis) reaches around 60 cm, and the endlicheri or saddled bichir well over that. The Senegal is the smallest and most manageable of the commonly traded species, which is why it is the one usually recommended. The rope fish, Erpetoichthys calabaricus, is a close relative in the same family — much more slender, equally armoured, and an even more determined escape artist. |
| Lifespan: | 10-15 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:High
- Min Tank:300 L
- Substrate:Soft sand; caves and a very tight, weighted lid
- Plant Safe:Plant-safe
- Filtration:High (large, messy predator)
Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is a species of fish in the family Polypteridae. It is native to Africa (rivers, swamps and floodplains across much of the continent). The Senegal bichir breathes air with lungs, walks on its pectoral fins, and has been doing both since long before anything walked on land. It has a pair of primitive lungs instead of a swim bladder, and takes atmospheric oxygen at the surface — in an aquarium you see it dash up, gulp, and drop back down. The body is armoured in rhomboid, multilayered ganoid scales whose structure has been studied for personal protective equipment. It is found across at least twenty-six African countries, in lakes, river margins, swamps and floodplains, and reaches about 35.5 cm. Its eyesight is poor. It finds food by smell and by detecting subtle movement, and it feeds by suction — taking in anything it can swallow. Research on this species is part of how we study the origin of tetrapods: raised in air, its skin can remain out of water indefinitely and it uses its large pectoral fins to walk.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- semi aggressive
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- bottom
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
Species similar to Senegal Bichir
Matched on family, then category, then water type