All fish / Polypteridae

Saddled Bichir

Polypterus endlicheri

Also known as endlicher's bichir, endlicheri bichir, barred bichir, bichir endlicheri, polypterus endlicherii, endlicheri, ปลาบิเชอร์, ポリプテルス・エンドリケリー, 恩氏多鳍鱼, 恩德利多鳍鱼, 虎纹恐龙

A heavy-bodied, primitive African fish with a broad flat head, an underslung jaw and a row of small dorsal finlets, coloured brownish yellow with bold dark saddles across the back. It is kept for its prehistoric look, hardiness and calm, almost reptilian behaviour, and it can gulp air from the surface thanks to its lung-like swim bladder.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

50 cm

Temperature

24 to 30 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

700 litres

Keep as

Single or a small group in a very large tank

Diet

Carnivore: fish fillet, prawns, earthworms, mussels, sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 30 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

West and Central Africa: Niger, Volta, Chad basins and Nile

Breeding

Captive spawning is rare and most fish in the trade come from the wild or from hormone-induced farm breeding. Eggs are scattered among plants and the parents give no care.

Good to know

It grows large and will swallow any tankmate that fits in its mouth, so plan for a big tank early. Use a tight-fitting lid because bichirs are skilled escape artists.