View Full Version : bicher?
i just got back from the local pet shop, and they just got in a polypterus(spelling)bicher. can anybody tell me about this fish? gonna buy it tomorrow. How big does it get? what is the best diet?
unknownuza13
08-12-2005, 9:03 PM
I believe they get to around 12 inches. The most active of the bichir family. They will eat smaller fish. I feed mine raw shrimp and shrimp pellets. He gets along good with the other fish
thank you for the response. can't wait to get em.
unknownuza13
08-12-2005, 9:13 PM
is this going to be your first bichir? I had one now I want five. THey; are really cool fish
Is it Polypterus bichir or just a bichir in the genus Polypterus? P. bichir is VERY rare, and they supposedly get to a little over two feet, though there isn't much info on them... but I'm sure that if Joe (Fruitbat) sees this he'll clear up whatever I may have gotten wrong with the P. bichir info. :D Can you provide a description of the fish?
probably just Polypterus senegalus.
probably just Polypterus senegalus.
That's what I'm thinking too. :p
unknownuza13
08-12-2005, 10:36 PM
yea thats what I was assuming i guess i shoulnd't assume
it is solid brown. seemed to be active. still small maybe around 4 to 5 inches. its only $19.99. unfortunatlely i can not provide a picture. thank you
Fruitbat
08-13-2005, 10:22 AM
Polypterus senegalus is certainly the most commonly available of the bichirs on the open market. Young adults and older can easily be distinguished from all other bichirs by their brown/gray coloration and lack of any significant pattern. They are great bichirs, almost always active and personable and generally stay 'small' for a bichir (about 12 inches).
Here's a link to an article/profile I wrote on this fish that might answer some of your questions:
Senegal Bichir Article (http://www.aquarticles.com/articles/breeding/Gallo_Senegal_Bichir.html)
Beware the bichir bug (Aquaristus ivegottahavemorebichirus! Once you've been bitten you'll never recover and soon you'll find that you have tanks full of bichirs all over the place!! :rofl:
-Joe
thaks joe. Great article. on my way to the store now to get my first bicher