Polypterus ornatipinnis

Common name Ornate bichir Picture of Ornate bichir
Picture of Ornate bichir, juvenile
Juvenile specimen at around 3"

Photos © Sean Evans

Scientific name Polypterus ornatipinnis

Synonyms

Size 18" (45cm), but sometimes reported exceeding 24" (60cm)

Origin Central and East Africa: Congo river basin, Lake Tanganyika

Tank setup Large tank, with bogwood and a few plants for decor

Compatibility Predatory, will eat small fish. Keep with larger fish such as Knifefish, cichlids, etc. Inclined to bite others of its own species.

Temperature 26-28^oC (79-82^oF)

Water chemistry Not critical: fairly soft to medium hard, slightly acidic to alkaline.

Feeding Carnivore, feed live foods and dead meaty foods such as cockle, mussel, earthworms and whitebait.

Sexing The anal fin of the male is larger in mature specimens.

Breeding The male wraps his body around the females genital area, so that the anal and caudal fins form a cup to receive eggs. The adhesive eggs are then scattered onto plants and other surfaces. The eggs hatch in 3-4 days. Larvae begin feeding after about a week, when the yolk sac is used up.

Comments One of the most strikingly patterned of the bichirs, this species is quite commonly available. It usually commands a high price than other common Polypterus such as P. palmas and P. senegalus. Despite the soft, acidic conditions often recommended for this fish, its occurence in Lake Tanganyika would suggest that water chemistry is not critical as long as the quality is good.

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This website was last updated on 18th January 2008

Common name	Ornate bichir	Juvenile specimen at around 3" `Photos © Sean Evans`
Scientific name	Polypterus ornatipinnis
Synonyms
Size	18" (45cm), but sometimes reported exceeding 24" (60cm)
Origin	Central and East Africa: Congo river basin, Lake Tanganyika
Tank setup	Large tank, with bogwood and a few plants for decor
Compatibility	Predatory, will eat small fish. Keep with larger fish such as Knifefish, cichlids, etc. Inclined to bite others of its own species.
Temperature	26-28^oC (79-82^oF)
Water chemistry	Not critical: fairly soft to medium hard, slightly acidic to alkaline.
Feeding	Carnivore, feed live foods and dead meaty foods such as cockle, mussel, earthworms and whitebait.
Sexing	The anal fin of the male is larger in mature specimens.
Breeding	The male wraps his body around the females genital area, so that the anal and caudal fins form a cup to receive eggs. The adhesive eggs are then scattered onto plants and other surfaces. The eggs hatch in 3-4 days. Larvae begin feeding after about a week, when the yolk sac is used up.
Comments	One of the most strikingly patterned of the bichirs, this species is quite commonly available. It usually commands a high price than other common Polypterus such as P. palmas and P. senegalus. Despite the soft, acidic conditions often recommended for this fish, its occurence in Lake Tanganyika would suggest that water chemistry is not critical as long as the quality is good.