Senegal Bichir - Polypterus senegalus - Small

(0)No Reviews yet
$14.99
SKU: 213446
Manufacturer: That Fish Place
MPN: F90 0022 0461

Shop in Retail Store

Inventory is real time and can be impacted at any time.

RETAIL STORE ONLY, not available for shipping. Call to confirm availability and price.

Details

The Senegal Bichir is a long, slender fish, gray to light brown in color. It has large, paddle-like pectoral fins and a rounded tail. The dorsal fin is formed by a number of branched rays that run about 2/3 the length of the body and join the tail. Young Senegal Bichirs have vertical stripes that fade as they mature.

Polypterus” translates to “many fins”, referring to one of their defining characteristics: multiple dorsal spines and finlets. These prehistoric looking fish have long, slender, snake-like bodies with protruding nostrils and large, paddle-shaped pectoral fins, which are used for locomotion. Bichirs (bee-shers), as they are also known, also have a modified swim bladder that is like a lung split into horizontal sections. This is an adaptation for survival in low oxygen natural environments which allows them to take gulps of atmospheric air.

These fish prefer long, shallow tanks. You may see them periodically rise to the water's surface to take a gulp of air. You may choose to minimize the ornamentation in the tank to reduce the likelihood of territorial behavior, but Bichirs will be more comfortable with rock caves or driftwood where they can hide, especially during daylight hours. They are nocturnal in nature and are best kept in tanks with subdued lighting.

Bichirs are not terribly aggressive towards other species and can be kept with other fish that will not be mistaken for prey. On rare occasions, they may accidentally bite a tankmate. They have notoriously poor eyesight, and rely on their sense of smell to find food. They may bump into and miss food a few times before they find it, or mistake a tankmate for something to eat. Despite their poor eyesight and normally slow movement, they can move exceptionally fast when necessary and should not be underestimated. They typically have healthy appetites, and will feed on many types of meaty foods from shimp or carnivore pellets to freeze-dried or frozen offerings.

Specifications

Specifications
Common NameSenegal Bichir - Small
Scientific NamePolypterus senegalus
OriginAfrica
Max Size (in inches)20
Community SafeNo
pH Range6.8-8.0
DietCarnivore
Min Tank Size (in gallons)120
Temperature Range76-78
DifficultyModerate

State Restrictions
Alaska
Armed Forces Americas
Armed Forces Europe
Armed Forces Pacific
California
Hawaii
Puerto Rico

Instructions

Ratings & Reviews

No reviews available

Be the first to Write a Review