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18-10-2004, 07:33 PM | #1 |
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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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