Polypterus represent animals from long ago; some refer to them as living fossils, part of the missing link between fishes and amphibians, helping to show how fish fins had evolved to become paired limbs. Some believe they already existed 60 million years ago.

 

The type species is the Nile bichir (P. bichir) and these fish live in various areas in Africa. Their particularities include the fact that they breathe with a lung and that the pectoral fins are placed at the end of muscular stalks that can be moved like little arms.

 

Some species of bichir become quite large: 80-90 cm. But others stay much smaller. Among the latter is Polypterus delhezi from the Congo, which attains a maximum length of 30-35 cm. The species has a quite pretty pattern. P. delhezi is bred in large numbers in Indonesia, where these ancient fish remind the aquarists in dragons. But wild collected animals are only rarely available.

 

So we are glad that we could manage once more an importation from the Congo which contains some wild collected Polypterus delhezi.

 

For our customers: the animals have code 163003 on our stock list. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

 

Lexicon: Polypterus: means "with many fins" (this refers to the numerous finlets on the back). delhezi: dedication name for M. Delhez.

 

Suggestion of a common name: Barred Bichir

 

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

 

 

 

 

Retired Kaiyodo Choco Q Albino Polypterus bichir Fish Animal PVC mini figurine

 

Retired Kaiyodo Choco Q Polypterus bichir Fish Animal PVC mini figurine

 

 

Polypterus ansorgii

Polypterus bichir

Polypterus delhezi

Polypterus endlicheri

Polypterus mokelembembe

Polypterus ornatipinnis

Polypterus palmas

Polypterus retropinnis

Polypterus senegalus

Polypterus teugelsi

Polypterus weeksii

 

 

Guinean bichir

Nile bichir

Barred bichir

Congo bichir

Saddled bichir

Ornate bichir

Buettikofer's bichir

Shortfin bichir

Poll's bichir

West African bichir

Gray bichir

Cross River bichir

Mottled bichir

Polypterus delhezi