On the tank size for the ornate a 20+inch fish is gonna be a lil cramped in a tank 36x18 inches.While they are not the most active of fish they should have room to move if they want.-Anne
have some general bichir information
Introduction
Polypterids are the sole survivors of the Order Polypteriformes whose distribution included Africa and South America and can be dated back at least 100 million years in the fossil record. They are among the most primitive of the ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) the dominant group of fishes today.
The elongate body of a Polypterid range from 10 inches to 3 ft long adult size depending on the species and round in cross section becoming compressed near the tail.They have a powerful body with the spine midline thru the body and four large muscles flanking it. ending in a Diphycercal Tail.
Polypterids are covered by multilayered scales,rhomboid in shape and have articulating peg and socket joints between them,With an outer layer of ganoine( (an inorganic bone salt) a middle layer of dentine and a layer of isopidine and an inner dermal, cosmine bony layer and are referred to as ganoid scales. Only the bowfin (Amiidae) share this particular ganoid scale construction.
The dorsal fin of the Polypterids is split into a row of small, sail-like finlets that are erected individually when the animal is agitated or feels threatened.
Polypterids are also unusual among ray-finned fishes in possessing only four rather than five gill arches.
Newly hatched Polypterids have feathery gills, not unlike lungfishes, which may be retained for some time.Most individuals lose them by the time
they have reached 2-3 inches.Polypterids are suited to life in warm stagnant backwaters and swamps where oxygen levels are low.They have adapted to these habitats by the use of a primitive form of lungs which allow them to breathe atmospheric air as opposed to being solely dependent on dissolved oxygen in the water.Bichirs are bimodal in respiratory function--they have both gills and well vascularized lungs--and can survive using either.
The Polypterids are shallow water species often swimming in the weeds and plants near shores and banks of Central and West African freshwater lakes and rivers.They seem to vary between diurnal and nocturnal depending on species in the wild.
They are sometimes caught as a food fish and are said to be quite tasty.
In addition to the ten species and six subspecies of Polypterus, the family also includes the ropefish, Erpetoichthys calabaricus, similar in character and distribution but lacking the pelvic fins and with a longer eel-like form.
All species of Polypterus require the same care just the size of the tank changes bigger species bigger tanks.
Polypterids tend to be long lived averaging 10-15 years in captivity.
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Polypterid fossil record
The polypterid fossil record was for a long time reduced to some scarce, disarticulated bones, mainly scales, found in various African deposits covering a wider area than the actual geographical distribution. With the discovery, on one hand, of polypterid scales, vertebrae, dermal bones of the cranium and dorsal spiny rays in South America and, on the other hand, of scales and numerous dorsal spiny rays in Niger and Sudan, and two articulated fossils in Morocco, the story of the polypteriformes has revealed some of its mysteries. The discovery of isopedine between dentine and bony basal plate in the scales of living and fossil polypterid species is considered a synapomorphy of the group, and has been an important aid in discriminating polypterid scales from other ganoid scales(Fish and Fisheries Volume 2 Issue 2 Page 113 - June 2001)
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Species and sizes
maximum known sizes often smaller in captivity
Upper Jaw Species-Upper jaw protrudes past lower jaw
P. palmas palmas ('palmas' bichir)- 13"
(subspecies)P. palmas polli ('marbled bichir)- 14"
(subspecies) P. palmas buettikoferi ('buettikoferi' bichir)- 13"
P. ornatipinnis ('ornate' bichir)- 27"
P. delhezi ('armoured' or 'delhez's' bichir)- 14"
P. senegalus senegalus ('Senegal' or 'Cuiver's' bichir)- 12"
(possible subspecies)P. senegalus meridionalis- 12"+
There is, Also the possibility of a third member of the Polypterus senegalus
group that is found in the Nile River
P. retropinnis ('retropinnis' bichir)- 14"
P .mokelembembe
P. weeksi ('week's' bichir)- 20"
P.teugelsi (found only in the Cross river)-16.75''
E. calabaricus ('Ropefish')- 15"-30" (Closer to 15''-20'' in captivity)
Lower Jaw Species-Lower protrudes past upper jaw
P. endlicheri endlicheri ('saddled' or 'red' bichir)- 32", possibly more
(subspecies)P. endlicheri congicus ('giant' or 'congo' bichir)- 39"
P. Bichir lapradei ('Lapradei' bichir)- 24"
P. bichir bichir-30+ ''
P.ansorgii*
There are a couple of as-yet-undescribed (scientifically) Polypterids
Variations
There are variations of the above including
short bodied:
longfinned:
albinoism:Albino Polypterids have a pink/ white body with red eyes if they are a species with pronounced markings
these are often yellowish in color
leustic:Leustic (platinum) are silver/whitish bodies with black eyes.
.*Until recently representives of this species was only known
from 3 preserved species in museums and was thought to
be extinct.
I actually plan on dragging the rest of this thing I'm writing over as soon as I finnish it.I'm currently working on the brain structure.And i need to add some information on breeding and the larval stage of development.Also the fossil
record.
