{"product_id":"senegal-bichir-polypterus-senegalus","title":"Senegal Bichir | Polypterus senegalus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Senegal Bichir is a living fossil — a snake-bodied, prehistoric-looking predator that patrols the bottom on frilly pectoral fins and surfaces now and then to gulp air. Hardy, characterful and surprisingly endearing, it reaches around 30–35 cm (occasionally larger) and is one of the best \"oddball\" fish for a big, calm aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePolypterus senegalus is widespread across Africa, from the Nile system through much of West and Central Africa, where it inhabits slow rivers, floodplains, swamps and shallow, weedy margins. These are often warm, still, low-oxygen waters — which is exactly why the bichir evolved a modified, lung-like swim bladder and must breathe air from the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn elongated, cylindrical body is armoured in tough, glossy scales of grey to olive-tan, topped by a distinctive row of small individual finlets running along the back. The head is broad and blunt with tiny eyes and a good sense of smell but poor eyesight. The frilly, limb-like pectoral fins give it an unmistakable, ancient gait as it \"walks\" over the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful towards fish it cannot swallow, but make no mistake — it is a predator, and anything small enough to fit in its mouth will eventually disappear. Keep it with robust, similarly-sized tank mates such as larger cichlids, silver dollars, larger catfish and other bichirs. It is slow and easily out-competed at feeding time, so make sure it gets its share.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA carnivore that hunts largely by smell. Offer meaty foods — sinking carnivore pellets, prawn, mussel, fish pieces, earthworms and frozen foods such as bloodworm. Feed in the evening if faster tank mates are stealing food, and avoid a diet of only live feeders. Do not overfeed, as they are prone to becoming overweight.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 340 L with a large footprint — length and floor space matter far more than height for this bottom-dweller — and 400 L or larger is better for an adult. Keep temperature at 25–28 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water. A soft sand substrate, caves and driftwood suit it well. Critically, leave an air gap above the water and use a tight, heavy lid: bichirs must reach the surface to breathe air, and they are determined escape artists that will push through any gap.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRare in the home aquarium. Bichirs are egg-layers; the male cups the female's eggs in his anal fin and fertilises them before they are scattered among fine plants. Hatching produces larvae with external gills, rather like axolotls, which are reared on tiny live foods. Deliberate breeding usually requires hormonal conditioning and is largely the province of specialists.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolypterus senegalus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSenegal Bichir, Grey Bichir, Dinosaur Bichir\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfrica (Nile, West and Central African river systems)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 30–35 cm (occasionally to 40 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 years or more (can exceed 20)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful but predatory on smaller fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e340 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore: sinking pellets, prawn, mussel, fish, earthworms, frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately hard, around 5–19 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge predator and oddball community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLargely (may dislodge loose plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include larger peaceful cichlids, silver dollars, larger tetras and barbs, robust catfish such as larger Synodontis, and other bichirs — anything too big to be eaten and not aggressive enough to bully it.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small fish and shrimp that will be eaten, and with very aggressive or fin-nipping species that will harass this slow-moving fish or out-compete it for food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232886440227,"sku":"AA1546-S","price":165.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232886472995,"sku":"AA1546-M","price":190.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232886505763,"sku":"AA1546","price":220.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"X-Large (15-40cm)","offer_id":55351971119395,"sku":"AA1546-XL","price":255.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Senegal_Bichir_a450eaf9-b978-4678-88f1-37d8cc33d93f.jpg?v=1781701822","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/senegal-bichir-polypterus-senegalus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}