All fish / Polypteridae

Ornate Bichir

Polypterus ornatipinnis

Also known as ornate bichir, ornate birchir, ornate polypterus, ornate dragon fish, dinosaur eel, reticulated bichir, ปลาไบเคอร์ออร์เนท, ポリプテルス・オルナティピニス, 花恐龙, 眼斑多鳍鱼

The ornate bichir is a long, eel-like fish with a row of small finlets along its back and a striking dark body covered in a fine pale reticulated pattern. It is one of the most attractive and largest bichirs commonly sold, and keepers value its prehistoric look, its ability to gulp air and its calm, curious nature.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

45 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.8

Smallest tank

450 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a group of similar-sized bichirs in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: earthworms, prawns, mussel, fish fillet, bloodworm and sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Congo River basin and Lake Tanganyika (DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi)

Breeding

It spawns among dense plants, with the male cupping his anal fin to collect and fertilise the eggs, but captive breeding is rare and most fish in the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

Grows to around 45 to 60 cm and will eat any fish small enough to fit in its mouth, so tankmates must be large. It is an excellent escape artist, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.