i got a new ornate bichir today. that thing looks awsome. I was just wondering how big they get, what the best thing to feed them is and all that stuff. Its eating rosys right now and its about 3-4inches. Ill try to post pics asap.It started eating about 20 minutes after i put it in. thanks in advance.
new ornate bichir
- Thread starter baracuda
- Start date
((Quoting Bshockstubb))
Ornate Bichir
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Ornate Bichir
Polypterus ornatipinnis
Order: Polypteriformes
Family: Polypteridae
Genus: Polyterus
Identification:
Quote:
The Ornate Bichir, is considered the most attractive of the Bichir group.. As with other members of the primitive Polypteridae family, the Ornate Bichir has the unique ability to survive out of water. With a lung-like paired swimbladder and gills to help breathing, the Ornate Bichir can spend short periods of time on land, but must soon return to its water environment for adequate respiration.
[Pet Ed.]
Temperature: 77- 83*F
Length: 24
Range: Central Africa
Tank Setup: Minimum tank size should be 50g. Decorate the tank with rocks and bogwood, as with all bichirs a sand substrate is recommended to prevent the fish from accidentally swallowing gravel when feeding. The fish is a predator so tank mates should be at least half its size. The should be ideally densely planted with various rocks.
Diet: Live and frozen meaty foods of all kinds, fish are a favorite. Small specimens can be fed bloodworms until they have grown enough to take larger foods. chopped meats and beef heart are an excellent treat.
Reproduction: Eggs are deposited on clumps of vegetation; however, breeding in the hobbyist's aquarium setting is not common. The parents show no brood care. Males have a large pocket-like anal fin.
Notes: The fish grows very quickly and can easily reach lengths of over a foot within a year, make sure that you have the tank to house the adult fish before purchasing one. Prone to jumping, a tight, well-sealed aquarium lid is required.
Photo Credit: Beth Hoffert
i disagee with the minimum tank size. id say at least a 18in by 4ft foot print so a 75 bare minimum. and 24in is def a MAX size. realistic size is prob more like 18in in captivity.