BICHIRS
The bichirs and reedfish (also called ropefish) compose the Polypteridae, a family of archaic-looking ray-finned fishes and the sole family in the order Polypteriformes.
All species occur in freshwater habitats in tropical Africa and the Nile River system, mainly swampy, shallow floodplains and estuaries. Albino Senegal Bichir and Ornate Bichirs are two of the more well known types.
Anatomy
Bichirs are elongated fish with a unique series of dorsal finlets which vary in number from seven to 18, instead of a single dorsal fin. Each of the dorsal finlets has bifid (double-edged) tips, and are the only fins with spines; the rest of the fins are composed of soft rays. The body is covered in thick, bonelike, and trapezoidal (ganoid) scales.
Diet
Bichirs are nocturnal and feed on small vertebrates, crustaceans, and insects. They are air breathing fish.
Compatibility
They can be kept with peaceful big fish like Severums and Silver Dollar. Bichirs do not usually pick on other fish. But do not EVER place them with any fish that can fit their mouth. It will be gone before you can do anything!!
All species occur in freshwater habitats in tropical Africa and the Nile River system, mainly swampy, shallow floodplains and estuaries. Albino Senegal Bichir and Ornate Bichirs are two of the more well known types.
Anatomy
Bichirs are elongated fish with a unique series of dorsal finlets which vary in number from seven to 18, instead of a single dorsal fin. Each of the dorsal finlets has bifid (double-edged) tips, and are the only fins with spines; the rest of the fins are composed of soft rays. The body is covered in thick, bonelike, and trapezoidal (ganoid) scales.
Diet
Bichirs are nocturnal and feed on small vertebrates, crustaceans, and insects. They are air breathing fish.
Compatibility
They can be kept with peaceful big fish like Severums and Silver Dollar. Bichirs do not usually pick on other fish. But do not EVER place them with any fish that can fit their mouth. It will be gone before you can do anything!!