Ornate Bichir The Ornate Bichir is found in the Congo River basin, the Lake Rukwa drainage, and the Lake Tanganyika basin. While it can thrive in various water conditions, it particularly favors calm, swampy regions rich in aquatic plants. This solitary, nocturnal predator typically hides in dimly lit, sheltered spots during the day and comes out at night to hunt for insect larvae, worms, and small fish. To properly house this species, an aquarium should be spacious—ideally measuring at least 6ft x 2ft x 2ft for adult specimens—and very well covered, as these fish are known escape artists. Make sure to securely seal any gaps where wires enter the aquarium with filter foam or mesh glued in place. Additionally, the aquarium lid may need to be weighted down. Ornate Bichirs can breathe atmospheric air through their modified swim bladders, which also serve as an accessory breathing organ, allowing them to survive out of water for a period. Therefore, it is crucial to leave a small gap between the water’s surface and the cover slides, enabling the fish to surface for air. If they are unable to access air regularly, they may drown, so always maintain a lowered waterline in the tank. The substrate should be soft sand, as these fish spend considerable time foraging on the tank bottom. You can use smooth, water-worn rocks and slender driftwood to create shaded caves, along with areas of dense planting featuring tall, resilient species like Vallisneria and large Anubias or Aponogeton spp. The lighting should not be overly bright; if it is, it should be softened through heavy planting. A blue moonlight that turns on just before the main lights go off will allow you to observe the nighttime activities of these intriguing fish. The water must be filtered effectively but with a gentle flow, so the fish do not face a strong current. The Polypterus genus is closely related to the monotypic Erpeto. Pictures are of the fish in stock, if you require any more please get in touch all sizes are approx
