TankBud

Congo bichir

Polypterus congicus

Also known as Congicus bichir

FreshwaterFish

Congo bichir (Polypterus congicus)
John P. Friel Ph.D. · CC BY 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.2–7.8
Adult size
38.2 in
97 cm
Minimum tank
264 gal
1,000 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Polypteridae
Origin
Congo basin

Overview

The Congo bichir is a giant predator that only suits huge custom aquariums or indoor ponds. It is a monster-tank commitment for experienced keepers only.

Did you know

The Congo bichir breathes air to survive. Like all bichirs, it has a pair of simple lungs and rises to gulp at the surface. This lets it endure stagnant, oxygen-poor water, and even short spells out of water if it stays damp.

Caring for the Congo bichir

The Congo bichir needs at least 264 gal (1,000 L), and realistically far more. Give it a soft sand floor to protect its belly, big driftwood, and open room to swim and rest. Fit a heavy, tight lid, since even big bichirs climb.

Keep it warm at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH of 6.2 to 7.8. Gentle to moderate flow suits it. Feed meaty foods such as whole prawn, mussel, earthworms and large sinking carnivore items in the evening.

It is a slow, nocturnal ambusher, mostly peaceful but ready to swallow any fish that fits in its mouth. Keep it alone or with equally large, robust tank mates. Its breeding is not recorded in home aquariums, which is no surprise given the space a full-grown fish would need.

Good to know

Polypterus congicus is the largest bichir in the family Polypteridae. Its brownish-gray body is crossed by around eight irregular dark bars. It is a heavy, slow-growing predator sheathed in the hard, interlocking scales typical of the family.

In the wild

The Congo bichir patrols the floors of large rivers, channels and floodplains across the Congo basin in central Africa. The water there is warm and soft to neutral.

Common questions

What size tank does a Congo bichir need?

A Congo bichir needs at least 264 gal (1,000 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Congo bichir need?

A Congo bichir is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.2–7.8.

What does a Congo bichir eat?

A Congo bichir eats meaty foods such as whole prawn, mussel, earthworms and large sinking carnivore items, offered in the evening. It will also swallow any fish that fits in its mouth.

How big does a Congo bichir get?

An adult Congo bichir reaches about 38.2 in (97 cm).

Related species