{"product_id":"tiger-birchir-polypterus-endlicherii","title":"Tiger Bichir | Polypterus endlicherii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Tiger Bichir is a big, boldly-barred prehistoric predator with serious presence, capable of reaching 60-75cm as an adult. An armoured, air-breathing oddball for a large, securely-lidded tank - peaceful with tankmates too large to swallow, but a determined predator of anything smaller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to West and Central Africa, including the Niger, Chad and White Nile basins, where it inhabits slow-moving rivers, floodplains and swamps, often in murky or oxygen-poor water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn elongated, eel-like body covered in tough ganoid scales, boldly barred in dark brown-black over a tan to olive base, with a row of separate dorsal finlets running down the back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA nocturnal ambush predator - peaceful towards tankmates too large to fit in its mouth, but will eat anything smaller given the chance. Not aggressive in a territorial sense, but its size and appetite demand careful stocking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carnivore - feed meaty foods like prawn, silverside, mussel and sinking carnivore pellets. Avoid a diet of feeder fish, which carries disease risk and adds little nutritional benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeeds a very large tank with plenty of floor space, soft sandy substrate, driftwood and secure hiding places, and - critically - a tight-fitting, weighted lid, as bichirs are notorious escape artists. As an air-breather, it also needs regular access to the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRarely bred in home aquaria; wild-caught or farm-bred juveniles make up the vast majority of the trade, and captive breeding has not been reliably documented for hobbyists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolypterus endlicherii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTiger Bichir (Saddled Bichir)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWest \u0026amp; Central Africa (Niger, Chad \u0026amp; White Nile basins)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60-75cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15-20+ years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (predatory on small tankmates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e600+ litres for an adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0-7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExperienced keepers with a very large, securely lidded tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly - large and can dislodge decor and plants while moving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOther large, robust fish too big to be eaten - big plecos, large cichlids and similarly-sized oddballs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny fish small enough to fit in its mouth, which it will treat as a meal regardless of how \"peaceful\" it otherwise is.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232886309155,"sku":"AA2034-S","price":480.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232886341923,"sku":"AA2034","price":550.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232886374691,"sku":"AA2034-L","price":635.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-60cm)","offer_id":55351971086627,"sku":"AA2034-XL","price":730.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/tiger-birchir-polypterus-end-43091607748899.webp?v=1790304132","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/tiger-birchir-polypterus-endlicherii","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}