Guinean Bichir
Polypterus ansorgii
A rare West African bichir that breathes air and grows impressively large.
About
The Guinean Bichir (Polypterus ansorgii) is one of the less commonly encountered members of the bichir family, native to river systems in West Africa including the Corubal River in Guinea-Bissau, parts of the Niger basin, and connecting waterways like the Ogun River and Lake Kainji. Like all bichirs, it belongs to an ancient lineage of fish that has changed remarkably little over millions of years, and one of its most fascinating traits is its ability to breathe atmospheric air directly, supplementing gill respiration by gulping air at the surface. This adaptation makes it well suited to the slow, oxygen-variable waters it inhabits in the wild. In the aquarium, it grows into a genuinely large fish, and that size is the main hurdle for most keepers. You need serious space to do right by an adult. It is a predator, so any tankmates small enough to fit in its mouth will eventually disappear, but it tends to be fairly peaceful toward fish too large to eat. Despite its prehistoric appearance and size, the Guinean Bichir is considered manageable even for newer keepers who can meet its space requirements, as it is hardy and tolerates a reasonable range of water conditions.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Guinean Bichir
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Guinean Bichir get?
- The Guinean Bichir reaches about 6.5–24" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Guinean Bichir need?
- A minimum of 180 gallons is recommended for the Guinean Bichir.
- What water parameters does the Guinean Bichir need?
- The Guinean Bichir does best with a temperature of 73–82°F, a pH of 6.5–7.5, hardness around 4–15 dGH.
- Is the Guinean Bichir aggressive?
- The Guinean Bichir is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the Guinean Bichir eat?
- The Guinean Bichir is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Guinean Bichir live?
- With good care, the Guinean Bichir typically lives 8-12 years.