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Old 18-10-2004, 07:33 PM   #1
yvonne
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Default Bichirs: Introduction

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.
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