© ばぶじ～ / CC BY-SA 3.0Barred Bichir
The Barred Bichir (Polypterus delhezi) is a medium-sized "living fossil" fish with a striking pattern of black bands across its gray body. Native to the middle and upper reaches of the Congo River, it's one of the hardier, easier-to-keep members of the Polypterus genus, making it a solid choice even for beginners drawn to ancient fish. It's nocturnal, spending the day tucked away and relying on its keen sense of smell to hunt for food after dark. Calm in temperament, it grows to roughly 35-44cm as an adult, so plan for a tank spacious enough to let it move comfortably.
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Apply as a breederBarred Bichir key facts
- Care level
- Beginner-friendly
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Size
- 35-44cm
- Temperature
- 24〜30℃
- Diet
- Meaty foods such as prawn, mussel, earthworms and frozen bloodworm
- Tank
- Floor space matters more than depth. Seriously Fish suggests a 120 x 45cm base of about 205 litres. Use a soft substrate with driftwood and smooth rocks arranged as hiding places; plants are not essential. Fit a tight cover, as it is an excellent escape artist.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- Seriously Fish gives a broad 24-30C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-25dGH, and the fish is unfussy about water chemistry. FishBase records 26-28C in the wild. Leave an air gap above the water because it breathes atmospheric oxygen.
- Tank Mates
- It cannot be trusted with anything it can fit in its mouth but is relatively peaceful otherwise. Suitable companions include other Polypterus, Synodontis, Datnoides, knifefish, larger Ctenopoma, medium to large characins and African butterflyfish.
- Diet & Feeding
- Strictly carnivorous and usually refuses dried foods. Live and frozen meaty items such as prawn, earthworms, mussel and bloodworm suit it best, though some individuals will take pellets.
- Breeding & Spawning
- Breeding has occurred in aquaria but details are very scarce. It spawns in the rainy season in the wild, so changes in temperature and water chemistry are likely to trigger spawning behaviour. A large tank with dense planting or spawning mops is needed.
- Health & Notes
- A very hardy nocturnal fish that relies on smell because its vision is poor. Jumping and escaping are common, so secure the lid, and choose tankmates too large to be swallowed. The IUCN assesses it as Least Concern and it is not listed by CITES.
About Barred Bichir
Barred Bichir: a hardy, beginner-friendly ancient fish from the Congo River with striking black bands, growing to 35-44cm and hunting by smell after dark.
7 things to know before welcoming a Barred Bichir
1Needs a Large Tank
Adults reach about 35-44cm, so a cramped tank quickly becomes too small. Set up a tank sized for its full adult length before bringing it home.
2Nocturnal Habits
It tends to stay tucked away during the day and becomes active mainly at night. Consider whether feeding and observing it at night fits your own daily rhythm.
3Hunts by Smell
This fish relies more on smell than sight to locate food. Letting food scent spread through the tank helps it find meals even while hiding in a shaded spot.
4Hardy Among Polypterus
It's considered one of the hardier, easier-to-keep species within the Polypterus genus. That said, it's still sensitive to sudden water changes, so adjust water gradually rather than all at once.
5Secure the Lid Well
With its powerful, ancient-fish build, it can jump out through even a small gap in the tank. Make sure the lid is firmly secured and weighted down to close off any openings.
6Gray Body, Black Bands
Its biggest draw is the pattern of black bands across a gray body. Since the banding varies between individuals, you can enjoy picking one based on its unique markings.
7Choosing Tankmates
It's generally calm, but any fish small enough to fit in its mouth may get eaten. Choose tankmates of a similar size and equally mild temperament.
Frequently asked questions about Barred Bichir
- Q.Can beginners keep the Barred Bichir?
- A.Yes, it's considered one of the hardier, easier-to-keep species within the Polypterus genus and is a good option for beginners. Just be sure to have a spacious tank ready in advance, since it grows quite large.
- Q.How big does it get as an adult?
- A.Adults typically reach around 35-44cm in length. Even if it's small when you bring it home, prepare a tank sized for its future growth from the start.
- Q.Why doesn't it move much during the day?
- A.It's a nocturnal fish that tends to rest quietly out of sight during the day. It becomes active mainly at night, hunting for food using its sense of smell.
- Q.Is it covered by CITES?
- A.No, the Barred Bichir is not covered by CITES.
- Q.Can it be kept with other fish?
- A.Its calm temperament makes community tanks possible, but small fish that fit in its mouth may get eaten. Choosing tankmates of similar size and mild temperament is the safer route.
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