Saddled bichir
Polypterus endlicherii
Also known as Endlicheri bichir, Endlicher's bichir, Polypterus endlicheri, Red bichir
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–84°F
- 25–29°C
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 25.6 in
- 65 cm
- Minimum tank
- 151 gal
- 570 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Polypteridae
- Origin
- Native to rivers, swamps and floodplains across West and Central Africa, including the Niger, Chad and Nile basins.
Overview
One of the larger bichirs, this fish reaches about 60 to 65 cm and needs at least 570 litres with a long footprint and a very tight lid, as bichirs escape through small gaps. Keep it at 25 to 29 C and pH 6.5 to 7.5. It is not aggressive toward fish too big to swallow, but will eat anything that fits in its mouth, so choose large tankmates. Feed meaty foods such as prawns, earthworms, mussel and sinking pellets.
In the wild
The saddled bichir is a heavy, eel-like predator with a row of small dorsal finlets and thick armoured scales. It has a blunt jaw with the lower lip projecting, and a series of dark saddle-like bars over a yellowish body. It hunts along the bottom by scent at night.
Good to know
Polypterus endlicherii is a member of the ancient family Polypteridae, ray-finned fish whose lineage predates most modern groups. Bichirs have paired lungs and can breathe air, surviving in low-oxygen water and out of water for short periods. Larvae hatch with feathery external gills like a newt.
Did you know
Bichirs can survive out of water for hours in damp conditions by breathing air, and have been known to travel between pools across wet ground.
Common questions
What size tank does a Saddled bichir need?
A Saddled bichir needs at least 151 gal (570 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Saddled bichir need?
A Saddled bichir is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.
How big does a Saddled bichir get?
An adult Saddled bichir reaches about 25.6 in (65 cm).
Related species
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Polypterus teugelsi
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