Teugels' bichir
Polypterus teugelsi
Also known as Cross River bichir, Teugelsi bichir
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 16.5 in (42 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 119 gal (450 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Cross River basin, Cameroon
- Family
- Polypteridae
Overview
Teugels' bichir is a rare, single-river bichir kept like the rest of the family: a nocturnal, lurking predator that will eat any tankmate small enough to swallow, so keep it alone or with large, robust fish only. It is a sizeable species, so give it a roomy footprint of at least 450 liters with plenty of floor space to patrol. Feed meaty foods such as earthworms, prawn, mussel and sinking carnivore pellets in the evening. It needs a soft sand bottom, wood and rock cover, and above all a tight, weighted lid, because bichirs readily climb out of open tanks.
In the wild
It is found only in the upper Cross River system of Cameroon in West Africa, in warm, soft, forest-fed water. Recreate that with a sand floor, driftwood, rockwork and shaded cover, with gentle flow. Keep the water soft and acidic to neutral, about pH 5.5 to 7.0, and warm at 24 to 28 C. Dim lighting and secure hiding places suit this nocturnal, single-basin species.
Good to know
Polypterus teugelsi is a bichir in the family Polypteridae, reaching about 42 cm, with a distinctive net-like pattern over the back and a paler, orange-washed belly. It was described in 2004 by Ralf Britz and named for the ichthyologist Guy Teugels. Its home breeding is not recorded, and it stays uncommon in the trade.
Did you know
It is a living fossil new to science. This bichir went unnamed until the twenty-first century, turning up in just one Cameroonian river system, a reminder that an ancient family can still hide undiscovered members.
Common questions
What size tank does a Teugels' bichir need?
A Teugels' bichir needs at least 119 gal (450 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH do Teugels' bichir need?
Teugels' bichir are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big do Teugels' bichir get?
An adult Teugels' bichir reaches about 16.5 in (42 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Imperial Tropicals Freshwater fish and inverts bred at a Florida hatchery
- The Wet Spot Tropical Fish Large selection of quarantined tropical freshwater fish, with live arrival guarantee and Next Day Air flat rate shipping to all US locations
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Teugels' bichir?
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Related species
Ansorge's bichir
Polypterus ansorgiiFreshwater15.7 in (40 cm)119 gal (450 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Barred bichir
Polypterus delheziFreshwater13.8 in (35 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–86°F (24–30°C)
Marbled bichir
Polypterus palmasFreshwater13.8 in (35 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Senegal bichir
Polypterus senegalusFreshwater13.8 in (35 cm)143 gal (540 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
West African Bichir
Polypterus retropinnisFreshwater13.8 in (35 cm)53 gal (200 L)77–82°F (25–28°C)
Weeks' bichir
Polypterus weeksiiFreshwater21.3 in (54 cm)159 gal (600 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)