Ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis)

Scientific name: Polypterus ornatipinnis Boulenger, 1902

Ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis)
Photo: http://www.tropco.co.uk/polypterus-ornatipinnis-10cm-12cm-p-3563.html

The Ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) is a freshwater fish of the family Polypteridae that grows to about 61 cm (24 in). It is moderate to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 25–28°C (77–82°F) and a pH of 6.0–8.0. Native range: Africa, Congo River basin, Lake Rukwa drainage, and Lake Tanganyika.

Ornate bichir care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
61 cm (24 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
25–28°C (77–82°F)
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
5–19 dGH (89–339 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts freeze-dried foods, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 9; 11; Anal spines: 1415. Subcylindrical body. Upper and lower jaw of equal length. Number of dorsal finlets: 9-11. Dorsal fin origin well behind pectoral fin. Ganoid scales: 58-65 lateral line scales, 38-44 scales around body, 22-27 predorsal scales. Dorsal side grey-brown colored, marbled with clear whitish spots, the belly is white to yellowish. Head finely reticulated. Fins with white spots alternating with dark spots, forming a continuous bar.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Polypterus ornatipinnis
Family
Polypteridae (Bichirs)
Order
Polypteriformes (Bichirs)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
60.0
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Congo River basin; Lake Rukwa drainage and Lake Tanganyika.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Fec=200-300)

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Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.

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