West African bichir (Polypterus retropinnis)

Scientific name: Polypterus retropinnis Vaillant, 1899

West African bichir (Polypterus retropinnis)
Photo: http://www.fishbiosystem.ru/ganoigei/Polypteridae/Polypterus_retropinnis2.html

The West African bichir (Polypterus retropinnis) is a freshwater fish of the family Polypteridae that grows to about 32 cm (13 in). It is moderate to keep and aggressive and needs a tank of at least 210 L (55 US gal), water at 22–24°C (72–75°F) and a pH of 7.0–7.5. Native range: Africa, Congo and Ogoou? River.

West African bichir care at a glance

Care level
Moderate
Temperament
Aggressive
Adult size
32 cm (13 in)
Minimum tank
210 L (55 US gal)
Temperature
22–24°C (72–75°F)
pH
7.0–7.5
Hardness
8–12 dGH (143–214 ppm)
Diet
Carnivore. Accepts freeze-dried foods, frozen foods and live foods.

Biology

Dorsal spines: 7 to 9; Anal spines: 1215; Vertebrae: 57 - 58. Subcylindrical body. Jaws mostly about the same length, the upper jaw sometimes a little longer than lower jaw. Internostril distance 14.3-18.0% of head length. Predorsal length 55.7-63.2% of SL. Number of dorsal finlets: 7-9. First dorsal spine narrow, 4.6-6.1% of head length. Number of dorsal and caudal rays: 13-16. Pectoral fin not reaching dorsal fin origin. Ganoid scales: 56-58 lateral line scales; 30-38 scales around body; 26-34 predorsal scales, 40-46 prepelvic scales. Dorsal surface of the body is gray or brown colored, well separated from the ventral surface, which is yellowish. Reticulated pattern on dorsal side with olive-colored spots; also lower jaw with black spots, which separates it from Polypterus palmas

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Polypterus retropinnis
Family
Polypteridae (Bichirs)
Order
Polypteriformes (Bichirs)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
34.0
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: central Congo River basin and Ogoou? River.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

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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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