Leopard Bichir – Big

Bichirs, belong to the Polypteridae family and are living fossils. They are a sister family of ray-finned fish with similar traits. These include a pair of functional lungs and the Lorenzini Ampullae (organs that can sense electricity, also known as electroreceptors).

They are members of the Polypterus genus, which means many wings,’ as a result of their appearance. Bichir is a genus of roughly 12 species, all of which are found in tropical Africa’s freshwater systems.

One such fantastic specie is the Leopard Birchirs – Big it looks intimidating and powerful but when they are small they are arguably the most defenseless fish as they cant fight. They have flappy little fins, and no teeth for fighting.

These fish love tanks that are long and shallow. They may occasionally climb to the water’s surface to take a breath of air. You can lower the amount of ornamentation in the tank to diminish territorial behavior, but Bichirs prefer to hide in rock caves or driftwood, especially during the day. Because they are nocturnal, they should be housed in tanks with dim lighting.

I. Size

• Average Adult Size: 1-2.5 feet
• Maximum Adult Size: 30 and 60 cm (11.8 and 23.6 inches)
• Swimming Level:  Top and middle level

II. You would love the fish because…

The general appearance of bichirs is very ancient and prehistoric. They look like a cross between a snake and an eel and can grow to be quite long.

It has a black body covered with yellow spots resembling that of a leopard. On the top of their backs, they have a series of spiny dorsal fins. These dorsal finlets continue right into their tail which fans out to create a wide surface area. This is where bichir generates most of its momentum. Bichir has two large pectoral fins which they rely on for mobility when swimming.

At the front of their heads, you’ll see they have two small tentacle-like extensions of their nose that make it easy for them to smell and navigate in low-visibility water.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

• Recommended: 2
• Overall hostility: Peaceful
• Hostility towards own species: Peaceful
• Hostility towards other Species: peaceful

IV. Species compatibility

• Knifefish
• Large barbs like Tinfoil Barbs
• Larger and non-aggressive African cichlids
• Medium catfish
• Oscar fish
• Flowerhorn cichlids
• African knife
• Clown Loaches
• Jack Dempsey fish
• Silver Dollar fish

V. How to feed this species?

A Leopard Bichirs is a predatory fish that should be fed live food such as bloodworm, frozen shrimp and calamari, tiny fish, cow heart and meat, and earthworm. The fish may consume artificial food, but this is not its natural diet.

The fish can eat slowly because it hunts at night when its prey is not active in the wild. So, if you’ve noticed that certain tank residents vanish at night, this could be the cause.

Recommended Food

• Taiyo Pro-Rich Dry Fish Feed for Arowana and Other Large Carnivorous Fish of All Life Stages
• Tetra Tablets Tabimin

Word for the wise

Live Plants

Rocks

Substrate

Driftwood

Live, frozen food

Aquarium Starter Kit

Filter

Heater