All fish / Polypteridae

West African Bichir

Polypterus retropinnis

Also known as retropinnis bichir, retro bichir, spotted bichir, west african bichir, polypterus retropinnis, ポリプテルス・レトロピンニス, 后鳍多鳍鱼, 后鳍恐龙

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

A slim, eel-like bichir with a brownish body covered in dark blotches and a row of small finlets along the back, set further back than in most relatives. It is kept for its prehistoric look, its habit of gulping air at the surface and its calm, curious character.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

30 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a group with plenty of hiding places

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Congo River basin (DR Congo, Republic of the Congo)

Breeding

Captive spawning is rarely reported; like other bichirs it is thought to scatter eggs among dense plants after rains. Nearly all fish in the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

It will eat any tankmate small enough to fit in its mouth and is an expert escape artist, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. Juveniles are easily confused with Polypterus palmas and other mottled bichirs.