Gray Bichir
Polypterus senegalus
A living fossil that breathes air and stalks prey like a tiny armored snake.
About
The gray bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is one of those fish that stops people in their tracks the first time they see one moving across a tank floor. Native to a huge swath of Africa, from the rivers and wetlands of Senegal and Gambia east through the Nile basin, it inhabits muddy shallows, swampy backwaters, and sheltered lagoons, gliding through the muck with a distinctly serpentine motion. That body plan is ancient, and the fish wears it well: a long, cylindrical frame covered in hard, interlocking scales, a series of small finlets running down its back, and a shovel-like head built for ambushing prey. In the wild it hunts insects, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, and smaller fish, and it will apply that same opportunistic approach in your tank. Anything small enough to swallow is fair game. Among bichirs, senegalus is actually considered the most active species, which makes it particularly engaging to keep. It can breathe atmospheric air directly, so it regularly surfaces, especially in warm or low-oxygen conditions. It does best in a dimly lit setup with plenty of cover and similarly sized tankmates. With proper care, these fish are genuinely long-lived companions.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Gray Bichir
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Gray Bichir get?
- The Gray Bichir reaches about 10–12" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Gray Bichir need?
- A minimum of 55 gallons is recommended for the Gray Bichir.
- What water parameters does the Gray Bichir need?
- The Gray Bichir does best with a temperature of 77–82°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 5–19 dGH.
- Is the Gray Bichir aggressive?
- The Gray Bichir is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the Gray Bichir eat?
- The Gray Bichir is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Gray Bichir live?
- With good care, the Gray Bichir typically lives 8-12 years.