Are bichirs eels?

How much water does a bichir need?

I would recommend at least 100 gallons of water and ideally, the larger the better! Bichirs like to hide in plants or other dark places within tanks with low lighting so they prefer darker spaces. The depth of your bichir’s tank should be at least 24-36 inches. In terms of water parameters, Bichirs prefer a pH of around neutral.

What kind of fish is Polypterus?

Polypterus is a genus of freshwater fish in the bichir family (Polypteridae) of order Polypteriformes. The type species is the Nile bichir (P. bichir).

How many species of Bichirs are there?

There are 12 species of Bichirs in the Polypterus genus, all with similar characteristics. They have a slender snake-like body with multiple dorsal spines and fins.

Are bichirs predatory?

Bichirs are quite slow-moving, so can have some problems with fast active tank mates stealing their food. As bottom-dwelling fish, they might starve as other fish can steal their food before reaching the bottom of the tank. Remember though, they are predatory fish.

Do bichirs live in tanks?

Bichirs have been living in tanks since the beginning of the 20-th century. Keeping the fish in a tank doesn’t seem to be a difficult task: these species are not demanding and are quite enduring, they can live in rather dirty water. However, this is a predator and only large fishes can be their tank mates.

How big is a bichir fish tank?

Keeping in a tank Scientific name Polypteridae Common Name Bichir fish, dragon fin fish, dinosaur b … Tank size 50 US gallons (200 L) and more Temperament Calm Diet Predator 4 more rows

What kind of water do bichirs live in?

Bichirs prefer shallow, swampy waters and can thrive in semi-brackish waters as well. Their build makes them suitable for this kind of habitat which is partially why they have remained unchanged for such a long period of time. Because of the murky waters where they come from these fish have very poor eyesight.

How many gallons does a bichir need?

To keep one you will need a tank of at least 50 US gallons (200 L) capacity and it’s better to be larger. The cover is a must for such a tank! Bichirs can not only jump out of the tank, but also crawl out of it.

How to keep a bichir?

To keep one you will need a tank of at least 50 US gallons (200 L) capacity and it’s better to be larger. The cover is a must for such a tank! Bichirs can not only jump out of the tank, but also crawl out of it. There should be some air between the cover and tank water surface, otherwise the fish won’t be able to breathe.

What is a good tankmate for a Polypterus?

Suitable tankmates include other Polypterus species, Synodontis, Datnoides, Knife Fish, larger Ctenopoma species, medium to large characins and African Butterfly Fish. The anal fin of the male is much thicker than that of the female. Has been achieved in aquaria but details are very scarce.

How long does a polypterid fish live?

The fish skeleton resembles that of a shark and it is not made from bones, but from cartilages. Maximum length of Polypterids species body is over 100 cm (39 in), but most of them aren’t longer than 25 cm (9.8 in). Average lifespan is about 10 years and it highly depends on tank conditions.

What is a Polypterus senegalus?

These fish have characteristics that are truly unique to the Polypterus genus. The Polypterus senegalus comes from heavily vegetated, slow-moving water systems in Africa and India. They are very common in these areas, so common, that they are often found in roadside ditches.

How big is a Polypterus endlicheri?

Polypterus endlicheri is a large and strong species, that grows to become up to 30 long (75 cm) in the wild. It is not very active during a day, it mainly slowly swims looking for food. Considering the size, it’s better to keep it in a separate tank and feed with live food (once or twice a week). Polypterus delhezi inhabits in Kongo river.

Do bichirs eat fish?

Bichirs are predatory fish, with a moderately aggressive temperament. They are problematic when kept with smaller size fish, as they will nip at their fins or even eat them. However, they seem to have no problems sharing their tank with larger fish. These fish are bottom-dwellers, and will spend most of their time near the bottom of the tank.

Where does Bichir come from?

Origin and Habitat of Bichir Bichirs are originally from Northeast Africa, specifically the entire basin of the Nile including its tributaries. Traces of this fish are also seen in India too. They can survive in a low level of water in nature as they can breathe from the air because of their functional lungs.

Are bichirs wild-caught?

As most fish, you find in the aquarium trade are wild-caught always quarantine your fish for at least 4 weeks before you add them to the main tank. Bichirs are nocturnal predators. They are carnivorous fish and enjoy eating small vertebrates, crustaceans, insects, and other small fishes.

What does Polypterus senegalus look like?

Polypterus senegalus is an elongated fish, usually grey or beige in color, though it sometimes has shades of white, pink or blue on some of their rhomboid-shaped, multilayer scales. Most of the fish is covered in very subtle patterns with occasional darker blotches or dots.

What does a Polypterus endlicheri look like?

P. endlicheri endlicheri is one of the larger Polypterus species attaining a record maximum size of 30″. The head is small and lizard-like with a large gaping mouth and small eyes on either side. Since its eyesight is poor the bichir primarily hunts by smell.

How often should I feed Polypterus endlicheri?

Polypterus endlicheri is a large and strong species, that grows to become up to 30 long (75 cm) in the wild. It is not very active during a day, it mainly slowly swims looking for food. Considering the size, it’s better to keep it in a separate tank and feed with live food (once or twice a week).

How big of a tank do I need for a parrot fish?

If you really want one, you should be able to handle it if you stick to our recommendations below! The minimum recommended tank size for these fish is around 90 gallons for one. The size of these fish and their activity level means they need ample room so they can swim and feel comfortable.

How does a Polypterus breathe?

In shallow water, Polypterus inhales primarily through its spiracle (blowhole). Exhalation is powered by muscles in the torso. During exhalation, the bony scales in the upper chest become indented.