New to me polypterus

[jconley]

I work at a LFS in Maryland and we just received 5 Polypterus retropinnis. Any info? Iwant to put a couple in with my Delhezi, 2 Ornatipinnis, Enlicheri, albino Senegalus and other Semi aggresive fish.

 

[beblondie]

The care for one Polypterus is pretty much the same for all-Anne

 

[Infblue]

do they look like the following pic? photo courtesy: beblondie
if so, they are Polypterus palmas polli. get to about 14", care is same as other bichirs.

 

[jconley]

Yep, thats them!

 

[davo]

thats a great looking bichir. never heard referred to as retropinnis

 

[jconley]

My wholesaler probably just pulled the name out of his a#$, but the are very cool and active.

 

[CichlidAddict]

My wholesaler probably just pulled the name out of his a#$, but the are very cool and active.

No, there is also a Retropinnus. It sort of looks like a palmas but without the checkerboard pattern.

 

[jconley]

My apologies to my wholesaler! Are there any good books on poly identification available?

 

[Infblue]

Polypterus palmas polli is very often mislabeled as retropinnis by suppliers and such (in the US at least). and as mentioned there is a P. retropinnis, which is a very different species.

 

[jconley]

Thanks for the clarification. Is the retropinnis often available in the U.S.?