The Weeksii Bichir is also known as the Mottled or Fatheaded Bicher, which originates from the Congo basin, Africa. As with other members of the primitive Polypteridae family, the Weeksii Bichir has the unique ability to survive out of water. With a lung-like paired swim bladder and gills to help breathing, the Weeksii Bichir can spend short periods of time on land, but must soon return to its water environment for adequate respiration. This species is snakelike in shape with a very large head and is greenish brown in color with black banding.

The Weeksii Bichir does best in a large “oddball” aquarium with other large, passive fish. When provided with plenty of open swimming areas, rocks and crevices, the Weeksii Bichir is not usually aggressive toward tank mates. This species is semi-aggressive in the fact that they will swallow any fish or invertebrate that they can fit into their mouth, but they are very passive towards other large fish. Prone to jumping, a tight, well-sealed aquarium lid is required.

Eggs are deposited on clumps of vegetation; however, breeding in the hobbyist’s aquarium setting is not common.

A carnivorous fish, the Weeksii Bichir requires live food in its diet as well as chopped meats and beef heart.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Water Conditions: 77-83° F, pH 6.5-7.5, KH 1-12
Max. Size: 1′ 8″
Color Form: Green, Tan
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: West Africa
Family: Polypteridae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.

The Retropinnis Bichir is also known as the West African or Speckled Bichir and originates from the Congo basin, Africa. As with other members of the primitive Polypteridae family, the Retropinnis Bichir has the unique ability to survive out of water. With a lung-like paired swim bladder and gills to help breathing, the Retropinnis Bichir can spend short periods of time on land, but must soon return to its water environment for adequate respiration. This species is snakelike in shape with a tapered, blunt head and is a yellowish brown in color with many dark patches that extend from the dorsal fin into the body of the fish.

The Retropinnis Bichir does best in a large “oddball” aquarium with other large, passive fish. When provided with plenty of open swimming areas, rocks and crevices, the Retropinnis Bichir is not usually aggressive toward tank mates. This species is semi-aggressive in the fact that they will swallow any fish or invertebrate that they can fit into their mouth, but they are very passive towards other large fish. Be sure to provide an aquarium of more than 100 gallons if incorporating another Bichir with the Retropinnis. Prone to jumping, a tight, well-sealed aquarium lid is required.

Eggs are deposited on clumps of vegetation; however, breeding in the hobbyist’s aquarium setting is not common.

A carnivorous fish, the Retropinnis Bichir requires live food in its diet as well as chopped meats and beef heart.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Water Conditions: 77-83° F, pH 6.5-7.5, KH 1-12
Max. Size: 1′
Color Form: Tan, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: West Africa
Family: Polypteridae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.

The Ornate Bichir, Polypterus ornatipinnis, is considered the most attractive of the Bichir group. It is a Lobe-finned Pike, a freshwater fish found in Africa. As with other members of the primitive Polypteridae family, the Ornate Bichir has the unique ability to survive out of water. With a lung-like paired swimbladder and gills to help breathing, the Ornate Bichir can spend short periods of time on land, but must soon return to its water environment for adequate respiration.

The Ornate Bichir does best in a large “oddball” aquarium, densely planted with numerous hiding places, and a sandy bottom. This species is semi-aggressive in the fact that they will swallow any fish or invertebrate that they can fit into their mouth. Be careful in choosing passive tank mates for the Bichir, as they are very passive towards other large fish. However, they are aggressive towards their own kind, and only one should be incorporated into an aquarium, unless the aquarium is very large. Prone to jumping, a tight, well-sealed aquarium lid is required.

Eggs are deposited on clumps of vegetation; however, breeding in the hobbyist’s aquarium setting is not common.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Water Conditions: 77-83° F, pH 6.5-7.5, KH 1-12
Max. Size: 2′ 1″
Color Form: Tan
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Central Africa
Family: Polypteridae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.

The Cuvier Bichir, also called the Senegal Bichir, Gray Bichir, or Dragonfin, is a member of the Polypteridae, or Lobe-Finned Pike family. This species is farm raised, but is endemic to the streams and rivers of Africa. As with other members of the primitive Polypteridae family, the Cuvier Bichir has the unique ability to survive out of water. With a lung-like paired swim bladder and gills to help breathing, the Cuvier Bichir can spend short periods of time on land, but must soon return to its water environment for adequate respiration. This species is brown in color with an elongated snakelike body.

The Cuvier Bichir does best in a large “oddball” aquarium with other large, passive fish. When provided with plenty of open swimming areas, rocks and crevices, the Cuvier Bichir is not usually aggressive toward tank mates. This species is semi-aggressive in the fact that they will swallow any fish or invertebrate that they can fit into their mouth. Be careful in choosing passive tank mates for the Bichir, as they are very passive towards other large fish. Prone to jumping, a tight, well-sealed aquarium lid is required.

A carnivore, Polypterus senegalus can be offered a varied diet of live foods such as worms and shrimp, as well as prepared foods such as krill, pellet food, and freeze-dried tubifex. The Cuvier Bichir may also accept some frozen foods.

Quick Stats:
Minimum Tank Size: 90 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Water Conditions: 77-80° F, pH 6.5-7.5, KH 8-12
Max. Size: 1′
Color Form: Black, Green
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Farm Raised
Family: Polypteridae

Note: This profile is currently incomplete. Description and/or images are temporarily taken from LiveAquaria and will be replaced shortly. If you are interested in writing a new description, please contact me at info@myfishtank.net. If you have any experience with this particular fish, please leave a comment below and share with us.