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Others
/ Polypteridae / Ornate Bichir
Ornate Bichir
Polypterus ornatipinnis | Pictures
Synonyms: None
Physical description: An elongated species having a dorsal fin consisting of 8-10 separate rays.
The
pectoral fins are paddle-like, and the pelvic fin is located far back of the body.
The body color is light brown to brownish
gray, and marked with irregular, dark brown to black net-like pattern.
The pattern is highly variable and is
different for each individual.
The belly is lighter in color and the fins have the same pattern as the body.
Size/Length: To 18" (45 cm)
Similar species: Other Polypterus
species.
Habitat: West Africa; in marshy, vegetation choked in the Kasai and Zaire (Congo) rivers in
Zaire.
S: bottom
Aquarium: A 40" (100 cm) tank with a from 45-55 gallons (170-209 L) is sufficient for
fish up to 12" (30 cm) in length.
Follow suggestions for
C. calabaricus.
Water chemistry: pH 7-8.2 (7.8), 9-18 dH (12), 77-84°F (25-29°C)
Social behavior: Do not combine with small fish as these may be consumed.
Combine with other large fish of the
upper swimming levels.
When confined with other
Polypterus species under cramped conditions, fighting
may result.
Fighting is less likely to occurs in a large tank with plenty of hiding places.
This species is peaceful towards large
fish.
The Ornate Bichir is nocturnal.
Suggested companions: Distichodus,
Hemichromis, Heterotis, Cichlasoma, Tilapia, Haplochromis
FOOD:
Live; fish, earthworms,
Tubifex , insects, frogs; chopped meat; occasionally
acclimated fish will accept tablets
Sexual differences: The anal fin of the male is larger and thicker.
Breeding techniques: Use cooler water to initiate spawning. 200-300 eggs are laid on vegetation.
The
young hatch in four days at which time the parents should be removed.
Start feeding with
Artemia and later with other small live
foods.
Breeding potential: 8.
Breeding is difficult and unusual.
REMARKS: Cover the tank well, as there are reports of this species leaving the aquarium,
and "roaming" the keeper's home.
Difficulty of care: 6.
This large, hardy species will consume smaller fish.
This Bichir requires live foods.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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