10 species
bichir, (genus Polypterus), any of about 10 species of air-breathing tropical fishes of the genus Polypterus native to freshwater river and lake systems in western and central Africa. Bichirs are classified in the family Polypteridae, order Polypteriformes.
Are Endlicheri bichir aggressive?
Typical Behavior. 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.
How can you tell if a bichir is male or female?
Sexes can be told apart by looking at the anal fins. Male bichirs would have a broader anal fin than the females. However, this is only true for mature males and not the young ones. Also, males seem to have thicker dorsal spines than the females, though normally, females tend to be larger than the males.
What is the largest bichir?
Most bichirs grow to be about 10 – 20 inches long. The largest is the saddled bichir, which can reach a fish size of about 30 inches.
How big does a dinosaur Bichir get?
These fish will get up to a foot long and grow to at least 8″ in their first 6 months and will live to 12 years or more. All tankmates must be no smaller than 4″ long or may be eaten.
What do you feed a Dinosaur Bichir?
Eating Characteristics: A carnivore, feed meaty foods such as earthworms, shrimp, bloodworms, mussels and fish fillets such as silversides. Feed once a day.
How do you breed a Bichir?
The female Bichir will deposit from 100 to 300 eggs during several days. She deposits several eggs each time, and the eggs are fertilized by the male when he cups his anal and caudal fins around the genital area of the female Bichir. The male takes the eggs, fertilizes them and they are then scattered over the plants.
How quickly do Bichirs grow?
It is unknown how fast a dinosaur bichir grows, but it grows between 2-3 cm longer each month until it reaches its natural size. The average size range of a bichir length 11.8-38.2 in (30-97 cm). The saddled bichir is the longest, while the Senegal bichir is the smallest species of the Polypteridae family.
How big does a Senegal Bichir get?
Tank size. Polypterus senegalus may grow to reach 16 inches in length in captivity. So, you will need an aquarium of at least 6ft x 2ft x 2ft with a 50-gallon capacity to accommodate this species.
Are dinosaur Bichirs aggressive?
Behavior: Bottom-feeders; moderately aggressive, but relatively peaceful with larger tankmates; nocturnal predator; territorial and aggressive towards other Bichirs of the same species; may escape from aquarium, lid highly recommended.
What is the difference between Bichir and endlicheri?
Bichir and Endlicheri group with a larger underjaw then the upperjaw, resulting in a mouth that opens to the upside. These species are more specialised in hunting living animals, zoals amphibian, aquatic insects and fish. To this group belong P. bichir, P. ansorgii en P. endlicheri.
What does a saddled bichir look like?
The Saddled Bichir, ( Polypterus endlicheri) is one of the largest reaching up to 30 inches. This species has a lower jaw longer than the upper jaw, a characteristic that defines the different Polypterus species. They are whitish-yellow colored with dark vertical bands along the body.
What are the different types of bichirs?
The most popular bichirs 1 Senegal bichir (P. senegallus) 2 Ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) 3 Saddled bichir (Polypterus endlicheri) 4 Barred bichir (Polypterus delhezi) 5 Rope fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus)
What is the size of Polypterus endlicheri?
Polypterus endlicheri is the second largest and the heaviest Bichir. A length of 35-50 cm is reached within 2 years. Depending on the subspecies they grow maximum 75-97 cm.
