Armoured Bichir
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Scientific Name: Polypterus delhezi Price: Upon Request Origin: Central basin of Congo River, Africa Family: Polypteridae NOT AVAILABLE NOW |
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Other Names: Barred Birchir, Banded Bichir, Delhezi Bichir |
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Technical Info
Temperature: 26 - 28 ℃
pH: 7 - 8
GH: 5 - 20
Max size: 34 cm
Min Tank size: 300 Ltr
Position in Aqua: No special swimming level
Description
One of the most distinctly-marked of the genus, Polypterus delhezi has an elongated body with a light gray to olive gray background coloration on its dorsal side grading to a yellow-white to white color ventrally. There are numerous black specks, sometimes forming a reticulated (net-like) pattern on the back and sides. P. delhezi has 7 to 8 nearly vertical black bars that are more or less distinct depending on the individual. The dorsal finlets that give the genus its name (Polypterus means 'many fins') number between 9 - 12 and these begin a bit closer to the head than in most other Polypterus species. Polypterus delhezi has a relatively small head for its body size. The tubular nostrils are prominent.
Food
Bichirs are carnivorous so feed meaty type foods consisting of good quality pellets of the appropriate size, sticks, chunks of frozen foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, beef heart, along with chopped market shrimp, chunks of raw fish, and earthworms.
Breeding
Can be breed in aquarium however breeding is very rare. Males have a large pocket like anal fin. Polypterus ornatipinnis scatter their eggs and leave their young to fend for them self.
Compatible with
Not to be trusted with tankmates it can fit in its mouth but is relatively peaceful otherwise. Suitable tankmates include other Polypterus species, Synodontis, Datnoides, Knife Fish, larger Ctenopoma species, medium to large characins and African Butterfly Fish.
Note
The anal fin of the male is much thicker than that of the female.