Delhezi Bichir 10-12CM The Banded Bichir is native to the middle Congo River basin. While it can thrive in various water conditions, it prefers calm lakes, streams, and flooded fields rich in aquatic plants. This solitary, nocturnal predator often hides in dimly lit, sheltered spots during the day and comes out at night to hunt for insect larvae, worms, and small fish. An aquarium for this species should be spacious—ideally at least 6ft x 2ft x 2ft for adult specimens—and 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. Banded Bichirs can breathe atmospheric air through their modified swim bladders, which serve as an accessory breathing organ, allowing them to survive out of water for a while. Therefore, it is crucial to leave a small gap between the water’s surface and the cover slides so the fish can come up 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 shady caves, along with areas of dense planting featuring tall, robust species like Vallisneria and large Anubias or Aponogeton spp. The lighting should not be overly bright; if it is, it should be diffused with heavy planting. A blue moonlight that turns on just before the main lights go off will let you observe the nighttime activities of these intriguing fish. The water should be filtered effectively but with a gentle flow to avoid overwhelming the fish with a strong current. The Polypterus genus is closely related to the single-species Erpetoichthys genus (Reed Fish). Pictures are of the fish in stock, if require any more please get in touch all sizes are approx All Sizes are approx
