Can Polli Bichirs live with other fish?

They are generally peaceful and rarely attack other fish outright, but any fish small enough to fit in their mouth may be eaten. Choosing tankmates of a similar size or larger is the safest approach.

Do they jump out of tanks?

Yes, bichirs are known for their jumping ability and may leap out of the water when startled. A tank with a secure, gap-free lid is essential.

Mine barely moves during the day — is it sick?

Polli Bichirs are strongly nocturnal and often stay hidden during daylight hours. As long as its appetite and coloration look normal, this behavior is not a cause for concern.

How large do they eventually grow?

Adults typically reach a standard length of up to about 32 cm. It's a good idea to plan for a larger tank well before they reach that size.

Are they subject to CITES regulation?

The Polli Bichir is not subject to CITES.

Polli Bichir

The Polli Bichir (Polypterus polli) is a small bichir with a subdued gray-to-dark-brown coloration, native to the middle and lower Congo River. Its elongated body, row of small dorsal finlets, and eel-like swimming motion give it a wonderfully prehistoric look. It tends to be quiet and secretive, hiding during the day and becoming more active after dark. While generally peaceful, it will eat anything small enough to fit in its mouth, so tankmates should be chosen with care. Considered suitable for intermediate keepers, it does best with hobbyists who already have the basics down, including jump-proofing the tank and feeding it properly.

View Polli Bichir encyclopedia →

Find Polli Bichir breeders(0)

Limited Time Offer

0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 sales are commission-free!

Breeder Wanted!

List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!

Free registrationNo monthly feesCommission on sales only

Our 6 Transparency Commitments

All Tropical Fish listings include water quality, temperament, and tank size information from verified Breeder.

Origin Disclosed
Real Photos
Water Quality Disclosed
Recommended Tank Size
Temperament Disclosed
Breed Line Disclosed

All species Guppy Endler's Livebearer Betta Peaceful Betta Emerald Betta Brunei Beauty Discus Pleco Otocinclus Bristlenose Pleco Zebra Pleco Otocinclus Negro

Browse all 301 breeds

Filter

Price

Region

Has show resultsChampion titles

Attributes

WYSIWYG (Actual photo)

0 items

Sort by

Verified breeders wanted for Tropical Fish

Breeders are signing up now ahead of launch. Subscribe to be notified when new listings go live.

Find breeders Browse the Tropical Fish encyclopedia

Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.

Browse other categories

Dogs Cats Marine Fish Coral Goldfish Medaka Reptiles & Amphibians Small Pets Birds Insects Exotic Invertebrates

Verified breeders (preview)

中

中村篤史 Breeder

大阪府

西

西川康弘 Breeder

香川県

Are you raising tropical fish?

Apply as a breeder

About Polli Bichir

A small Congo River bichir with gray-to-dark-brown coloring and a prehistoric look, the Polli Bichir grows to about 32 cm and suits intermediate keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Polli Bichir

1A Tight-Fitting Lid
Bichirs are strong jumpers and can leap out of the water when startled, especially at night. Always use a tank with a secure, gap-free lid to prevent escapes.
2Choosing Tankmates
Polli Bichirs are generally peaceful and rarely attack other fish outright, but they will eat anything small enough to swallow. Choose tankmates of a similar size or larger.
3A Nocturnal Rhythm
This fish tends to stay hidden during the day and becomes more active at night or after the lights go out. Providing shelters like driftwood or caves helps it feel secure.
4Planning for 32 cm
Adults can reach a standard length of up to about 32 cm. Juveniles can start in a smaller tank, but it's wise to plan for a larger setup well before they reach full size.
5Feeding a Carnivore
This species favors animal-based foods. Once acclimated it can often be trained onto prepared pellets, but frozen bloodworms or similar foods help encourage it to eat at first.
6Best for Intermediate Keepers
This fish is considered manageable for hobbyists who already have experience with basic water quality management and equipment. First-time keepers may want to build up some experience before taking one on.
7Congo River Origins
Native to the middle and lower Congo River, the Polli Bichir has a calm gray-to-dark-brown coloration. It was described by Gosse in 1988 and was long treated as a subspecies of P. palmas.

Frequently asked questions about Polli Bichir

Q.Can Polli Bichirs live with other fish?: A.They are generally peaceful and rarely attack other fish outright, but any fish small enough to fit in their mouth may be eaten. Choosing tankmates of a similar size or larger is the safest approach.
Q.Do they jump out of tanks?: A.Yes, bichirs are known for their jumping ability and may leap out of the water when startled. A tank with a secure, gap-free lid is essential.
Q.Mine barely moves during the day — is it sick?: A.Polli Bichirs are strongly nocturnal and often stay hidden during daylight hours. As long as its appetite and coloration look normal, this behavior is not a cause for concern.
Q.How large do they eventually grow?: A.Adults typically reach a standard length of up to about 32 cm. It's a good idea to plan for a larger tank well before they reach that size.
Q.Are they subject to CITES regulation?: A.The Polli Bichir is not subject to CITES.