Bichirs: Introduction

[yvonne]

Bichirs belong to the family of Polypteridae of primitive fishes wif Ray-fins.These freshwater fishes have thick bonelike scales wif a series of dorsal fins instead of a single fin.

The are two genera: the genus Erpetoichthys contains only one species - E. calabaricus, known as the Rope or Reed Fish.

The other genus contains the Polypterus species (bichirs), there are currently 16 recognised species, The more commonly encountered ones (In Singapore)are in red as described below.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus - Reedfish or Ropefish
Polypterus ansorgii - Guinean Bichir
Polypterus bichir bichir - Nile Bichir
Polypterus bichir katangae
Polypterus bichir lapradei
Polypterus delhezi - Barred Bichir
Polypterus endlicheri congicus
Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri - Saddled Bichir
Polypterus ornatipinnis - Ornate Bichir
Polypterus palmas buettikoferi
Polypterus palmas palmas - Shortfin Bichir
Polypterus palmas polli
Polypterus retropinnis - West African Bichir
Polypterus senegalus meridionalis
Polypterus senegalus senegalus - Gray Bichir
Polypterus weeksii - Mottled Bichir

Polypterus mainly originate from Africa although there are some which were successfully bred elsewhere.

Bichirs breathe atmospheric air.
Their 2-part, ventrally located, lunglike swimbladder which is connected to their esophagus serves as an accessory breathing organ.
If bichirs are not able to reach the surface of the water to breathe, they will drown, even in waters which are rich in oxygen.

Due to their unique respiratory systems , bichirs are able to stay out of water for a long period of time.
They can also travel on land using their strong pelvic fins.Tight-fitting, weighted tankcovers are thus recommended for bichirs lovers if you don't want them to be 'walking' ard out of your tanks.

Potential maximum size of bichirs can reach to a whooping 3ft in the wild but most species max up to ard 1ft in aquariums.

[yvonne]

Habitat

Bichirs are nocturnal by nature, they are secretive in their habits, always hiding and they would prefer subdued lighting.
So it will be a good idea to have hiding places for them in your tanks, driftwoods or rocks will do the trick. Fine sand (gravel) are recommended altho bare tanks will just as fine for them, not to forget it's easier to maintain a gravel-less tank.

Chemical/Physical

Bichirs are hardy fishes which can withstand a wide range of water conditions altho the recommended pH for them is between 7-6.5 pH.
Ideal temperature is between 23-29 degrees C.
Weekly water change of 30% is highly recommended for the best benefit of the bichirs.

Tank set-up

Undergravel filteration is not recommended for bichirs as they are higly capable of digging up the gravel & causing havoc to the UGF.

Live plants are also not recommended altho some hobbyist has successfully kept bichirs in a tank wif plants.

A practical tank size for bichirs will be 4 times the length of your bichirs & try not to overcrowd the tank wif other bottom-dwellers or much smaller tankmates.
Although bichirs are territorial fishes, they can get along rather well wif many other fishes.
What I'll suggest is not to keep tankmates which are considered bite-size to your bichirs, unless you wan them to be your bichirs' meal.

Sexing

Male bichirs have slightly larger anal fins and females have longer & slimmer ones.They can also be differentiate by the size of theri heads, males are believed to have smaller heads den the female specimens.

Breeding

Males bichirs will initiate the spawning wif the female laying a few hundred eggs near his cupped anal fin.
In tropical waters, the young will hatch in abt 4 days.A few species have been bred in captivity with young raised to maturity.

Food

Based on my experience wif bichirs so far, I have notices dat they eat almost anything.
My bichirs feed mainly on live feeders which i feel is the best in beefing them up, altho i feed them MP & pellets as well.

Disease

Altho bichirs are considered hardy fishes, they do succumb to diseases too.
One most commonly seen disease shd be the 'bichir worm' (dunno the actual name) fine hairlike growth are seen all over their bodies in severe cases. Water change & adding salt & Melafix seems to work for me, altho there are other methods which have been discussed but I've not tried them myself.

[yvonne]

Erpetoichthys calabaricus - Reedfish or Ropefish

max size up to 90cm (36") altho usually smaller in captivity.

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs3/image01.jpg

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs3/image02.jpg

ropefish pics taken from
http://www.whozoo.org/fish/primbony/bichirs.htm

[yvonne]

Polypterus bichir bichir - Nile Bichir

max size up to 75cm (29.5")

pic from my own gallery tho not a very good pic, will update wif a better pic for easier reference.

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs2/image09.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus bichir lapradei

max size 75cm (29.5")

pic shows the same lapradei in different environment.

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs/image03.jpg

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs/image15.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus delhezi - Barred Bichir

max size 35cm (14")


http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs2/image07.jpg

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs/image06.jpg

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs/image05.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus endlicheri congicus

max size up to 75cm (29.5")

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs3/image04.jpg

pic taken from

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=110

[yvonne]

Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri - Saddled Bichir

max size 75cm (29.5")

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/endis/image07.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus ornatipinnis - Ornate Bichir

max size 60cm (24")

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs/image10.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus palmas buettikoferi

max size 35cm (13.8" ) altho mine seems longer den 13.8" ;)

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs2/image04.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus palmas polli

max size 30cm (12")

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs/image07.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus retropinnis - West African Bichir

can't find details on max size for this particular bichir

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs3/image05.jpg

pic taken from http://www.rehobothaquatics.com

[yvonne]

Polypterus senegalus senegalus - Gray Bichir

max size 40cm (16")

http://arofanatics.com/members/dovii/oddballs/image10.jpg

pic taken from Dovii's gallery

my long fin senegalus

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/updates/image03.jpg

my albino senegalus

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/updates/image11.jpg

[yvonne]

Polypterus weeksii

max size 54cm (22")

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs/image11.jpg

[yvonne]

Male bichir

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/sexingbichirs/image01.jpg

Female bichir

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/sexingbichirs/image02.jpg

[doomslayer]

yvonne, u noe wat size a bichir can mate?
coz i heard from another forum some1 has successfully breed bichirs
any info??

[piertiong]

Polypterus endlicheri congicus

max size up to 75cm (29.5")

http://arofanatics.com/members/yvonne/bichirs3/image04.jpg

pic taken from

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=110

this picture actually shows a P.E Endlicheri and not P.E Congicus.

[yvonne]

this picture actually shows a P.E Endlicheri and not P.E Congicus.
hey, congrats man, u're the winner of the "spot-the-mistake" contest ;)

p.s. this oso goes to show dat most, if not everyone, dun really bother wat was posted ;)

[cwleong_varian]

any idea on how to differntiate between congisius and endlicheri endlicheri?
seen the link but still not able to do so...
congisius got plj one ah?

hi
congisius = thinner black strips.
= bottom belly no strips, mainly white.

endy = thicker black strips
= bottom belly also have the strips

any expert, correct me if i am wrong

[Habitat]

Bichirs belong to the family of Polypteridae of primitive fishes wif Ray-fins.These freshwater fishes have thick bonelike scales wif a series of dorsal fins instead of a single fin.

The are two genera: the genus Erpetoichthys contains only one species - E. calabaricus, known as the Rope or Reed Fish.

The other genus contains the Polypterus species (bichirs), there are currently 16 recognised species, The more commonly encountered ones (In Singapore)are in red as described below.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus - Reedfish or Ropefish
Polypterus ansorgii - Guinean Bichir
Polypterus bichir bichir - Nile Bichir
Polypterus bichir katangae
Polypterus bichir lapradei
Polypterus delhezi - Barred Bichir
Polypterus endlicheri congicus
Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri - Saddled Bichir
Polypterus ornatipinnis - Ornate Bichir
Polypterus palmas buettikoferi
Polypterus palmas palmas - Shortfin Bichir
Polypterus palmas polli
Polypterus retropinnis - West African Bichir
Polypterus senegalus meridionalis
Polypterus senegalus senegalus - Gray Bichir
Polypterus weeksii - Mottled Bichir

Hello Yvonne
Although i am a new member..
I have been following yourself and fellow members post's for some time on bichirs and have the utmost most respect for all your collections.
Great job on the info post on ray fins!
Polypterus look almost prehistoric at times in their natural condition and demand the respect and care they deserve
Couldnt help but notice F-base cites another species not on ur list as...
Polyterus Teugelsi recently updated in 04
Best regards
:)
:)

[yvonne]

Hello Yvonne
Although i am a new member..
I have been following yourself and fellow members post's for some time on bichirs and have the utmost most respect for all your collections.
Great job on the info post on ray fins!
Polypterus look almost prehistoric at times in their natural condition and demand the respect and care they deserve
Couldnt help but notice F-base cites another species not on ur list as...
Polyterus Teugelsi recently updated in 04
Best regards
:)
:)thanks for ur compliments Habitat,
would u pls post a pic of the updated species dat u mentioned so all can have an idea wat the Polypterus teugelsi looks like ;)

[Habitat]

thanks for ur compliments Habitat,
would u pls post a pic of the updated species dat u mentioned so all can have an idea wat the Polypterus teugelsi looks like ;)

Thanx Yvonne
not sure if this pic is accurate but note main reference @ bottom of link about.... "new species"


teugelsi (http://polypterus.info/p_teugelsi.htm)

&

Fbase teugelsi (http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=61725&genusname=Polypterus&speciesname=teugelsi)

[yvonne]

market price of the following bichirs based on wat i know:

Erpetoichthys calabaricus - Reedfish or Ropefish - ard $12-$15

Polypterus bichir bichir - Nile Bichir -$100-$120 (size ard 10-12")

Polypterus bichir lapradei - ard $40 (size at least 8", haven seen any smaller ones on sale)

Polypterus delhezi - Barred Bichir - $15- $18 (3-4") onwards

Polypterus endlicheri congicus - $65-$80 (8-10")

Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri - Saddled Bichir - from $28-38 (3-4") to $138-$250 (1ft & above)

Polypterus ornatipinnis - Ornate Bichir - from $12-$18 (3-4") to $180-$200 (12-14")

Polypterus palmas buettikoferi - bot mine for $150 (so far haven seen anymore available tho)

Polypterus palmas polli - $15 (4") to $200 (1ft)

Polypterus retropinnis - West African Bichir - not available in LFS too

Polypterus senegalus senegalus - Gray Bichir - $3-$5 (3-4") to $60 :eek: (ard 1ft)

Polypterus weeksii - Mottled Bichir - $50 (6-8") to $80 (ard 10") but not readily available

[yvonne]

list of LFS & Farms which carry a good selection of bichirs, anyone wif more info can pls help update.thanks


Chervil Flora & Aquatic Trading
Blk 418, Yishun Ave 11,#01-407, Singapore 760418
Eagle 67590580

Cichlids Forever (CF)
1024, Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534762
Jason 98191848/62860836

Clementi Florists & Aquariums (C328)
Blk 328, Clementi Ave.2, #01-210, Singapore 120328
67778468

Eight Star Aquarium (JE 217)
Blk 217A, Jurong East, (paiseh dunno exact address pls call to check)
90606608

Fish Pet World
Geylang
(paiseh dunno the exact address pls call Shuan to check)
Shuan 90089117

Qian Hu
71, Jalan Lekar, Singapore 698950

San Aquatic
Blk 510, Bedok North Street 3,#01-03, Singapore 460510
Ivan Choo 6243 3564

That Aquarium
Blk 618, Yishun Ring Road, #01-3236, Singapore 760618
Javier 67585488

Tropical Fish Farm
No.1, Pasir Ris Industrial Park 1, Singapore 518235
65840877

[jebus]

Hi guys,

for some... this may just be an old info.... but find it real cool for a newbie like me...... :D

species profiles
http://www.polypterus.info/profiles.htm

general keeping info
http://www.polypterus.info/keeping_polypterus.htm


MORE info! for u guys
sorry bro amiidae for kop-ing ur statement

[libingboy]

would just like to add that bros should exercise some caution in netting out bichirs... dorsal fins are quite sharp... i just cut myself in 4-5 different places in my right hand while transferring a large delhezi, due to the dorsal fins... bled quite a bit too...

[amiidae]

Adding pic for reference;

Polypterus senegalus Var.

Black eyes and pearly white body

[amiidae]

pic reference of a male Polypterus endlicheri congicus - abt 16inches

[jebus]

http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/

any bros with other websites? preferable with pictures

[jebus]

these are from the website


http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/IMG_01201.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/119_1933_21.jpg
looks are seem to have very thick lower lip
thicker compared to other types of variations
eyes have that POP-up look
and the stripes are quite contrasting

[jebus]

http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/deracyad131.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/Scan100111121.jpg
From lake chad
looks very much like those from nigeria to me
excet lower lip not as "thick"

[jebus]

http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/kasined11.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/ginia200421.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/rimix1.jpg

from ginia
stripes are not very distinct and "fuzzy"
got the normal brown scales within the black bars
eyes really look stark with the whitish colouration surrounding the pupil

[jebus]

http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/gaaana2.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/nsgarna11.jpg

from ghana
base colour mixes into the black pattern
bars seem to be thicker for such endlicheris

[jebus]

there are also other locality of collection for endlicheri
but it seems that volta which was commonly described as a place to collect yield little good looking pictures
if u have a volta endli pic
do share

[jebus]

some jappy bred endlicheri

http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/nsazuma21.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/azumaennd211.jpg


and some indon bred
http://www.geocities.jp/xmfrg478/new014911.jpg
http://www.arofanatics.com/members/jebus/bichirs/image01.jpg
http://www.arofanatics.com/members/jebus/bichirs/image03.jpg

[jebus]

my indon bred endlicheri
very first few batch
now big !
http://www.arofanatics.com/members/jebus/endlicheri/image06.jpg
notice that the new batch of indon endlicheri are inferior

[Tustar]

just a link which show sizes of diff bichir

http://www.polypterus.info/keeping_polypterus.htm

[amiidae]

"Finally I could shoot some shots of true 'bichir bichir' recently

Here are some.
There are about 60-70 real 'Poly bichir bichir' in Japan. But this variant are only one of Two in Japan.
This guy shows this crazy pattern all time and we call this var 'full color bichir bichir'
"

permission granted by Seiichi Hamada to post his pic here.. a 2 footer specimen

The true P. Bichir bichir
http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-8852-1167398717.jpg
http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-8852-1167398802.jpg

http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-8852-1167398822.jpg

[amiidae]

"Here are two pics of another one collected at the same time about 2 month ago" by Seiichi

http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-327-1167415422.jpg
http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-327-1167415491.jpg

[amiidae]

"Finally true Polypterus ansorgii were imported to Japan.
I got an opportunity to take photos. Japanese most famous magazine is going to introduce this fish on the next issue." by Seiichi

P.ansorgii was about 12.5".

http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-327-1146824469.jpg
http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-327-1146824479.jpg

[amiidae]

”And here's the one that was collected in Cross river and imported as true P.teugelsi.
We are not sure this guy will be real or not. But it looks almost real one.
This speciemen is a solo one in Japan.” By Seiichi

http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-327-1146824535.jpg
http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-327-1146824544.jpg

“That P.teugelsi (invoice name) has a bit difference form the orignal description on the dorsal finlets. But The majority are corresponding to the content of the description. The point that had to be paid attention was to have collected this fish in Cross River. .” By Seiichi

http://forums.waterwolves.com/uploads/post-8852-1146896272.jpg

[laodie]

wow the poly bichir bichir looks like an giant python! think few years back i did seen one in SG but the stripes and colours are not as intense as attach...

[aFrIcanSH]

wow the poly bichir bichir looks like an giant python! think few years back i did seen one in SG but the stripes and colours are not as intense as attach...

what do you mean giant python when most pythons are bigger than it

the coloration is really spectacular and i would want to see one in its natural environment blended into the bogwood and gravel or surroundings

[12etard]

Hi hope this is the right place to ask this: Do endis have antenna looking things behind its head when small? Or is it some man made breed of endi? Saw a whole bunch of them, 3", in C328 and took the one with the clearest markings on body and belly.

[thomas]

Hi hope this is the right place to ask this: Do endis have antenna looking things behind its head when small? Or is it some man made breed of endi? Saw a whole bunch of them, 3", in C328 and took the one with the clearest markings on body and belly.

Juveniles have those "antennas", but they will disappear after the endy grows bigger :)

[yoyofish]

wats e diff between endlicheri congicus n endlicheri endlicheri? nw im into endi too.... they jus look damn beautiful when they are adult...

[wongyeng]

Dear all,

i think this thread is one of the best and most informative threads i hv come across in my short stay in af. I think it certainly deserves a 2nd posting !

Cheers! :)

[latte]

this picture actually shows a P.E Endlicheri and not P.E Congicus.

Bro, how you tell the diff .. I heard it is the top, endy have 10 spikes and cog has 15 ... is this the diff?