Polypterus represent animals from long ago; some refer to them as living fossils, part of the missing link between fishes and amphibians, helping to show how fish fins had evolved to become paired limbs. Some believe they already existed 60 million years ago.

 

The type species is the Nile bichir (P. bichir) and these fish live in various areas in Africa. Their particularities include the fact that they breathe with a lung and that the pectoral fins are placed at the end of muscular stalks that can be moved like little arms.

 

Some species of bichir become quite large: 80-90 cm. But others stay much smaller. Among the latter is Polypterus delhezi from the Congo, which attains a maximum length of 30-35 cm. The species has a quite pretty pattern. P. delhezi is bred in large numbers in Indonesia, where these ancient fish remind the aquarists in dragons. But wild collected animals are only rarely available.

 

So we are glad that we could manage once more an importation from the Congo which contains some wild collected Polypterus delhezi.

 

For our customers: the animals have code 163003 on our stock list. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

 

Lexicon: Polypterus: means "with many fins" (this refers to the numerous finlets on the back). delhezi: dedication name for M. Delhez.

 

Suggestion of a common name: Barred Bichir

 

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

 

Video of POLYPTERUS BICHIR BICHIR 68cm

IUCN Redlist of the Bichir Fishes

Pictures of Polypterus delhezi

 

Books on Polypterus Bichirs

Kaiyodo Choco Q Egg Figurines

List of Polypterus Species 

List of Common Names for the Bichir Fishes 

References