West African Bichir
Polypterus retropinnis
A living fossil with lungs, armor, and a prehistoric attitude.
About
The West African Bichir (Polypterus retropinnis) is one of those fish that genuinely earns the label 'ancient'. Its relatives date back to the Triassic Period, over 200 million years ago, and looking at one, you can believe it. Found in the slow rivers, swamps, and seasonally flooded zones of the Congo and Ogowe river basins in Central Africa, this species is built for shallow, murky environments where eyesight is nearly useless. It compensates with a remarkable sense of smell and a modified swim bladder that functions as an accessory lung, letting it breathe atmospheric air directly. Deny it surface access and it can actually drown. Juveniles even develop feathery external gills, a feature more amphibian than fish. In the aquarium, the West African Bichir is a nocturnal predator that spends daylight hours tucked away in cover before emerging to hunt by scent. It is broadly peaceful with fish too large to swallow, and does well alongside other bichirs, larger catfish, and similarly robust tankmates. This is an intermediate-level species. Hardy and forgiving of water variation, but large enough to need real space and carnivorous enough to rearrange your stocking plans. Most specimens on the market are wild-caught, so quarantine is genuinely important when bringing new fish home.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with West African Bichir
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the West African Bichir get?
- The West African Bichir reaches about 8–14" as an adult.
- What size tank does the West African Bichir need?
- A minimum of 53 gallons is recommended for the West African Bichir.
- What water parameters does the West African Bichir need?
- The West African Bichir does best with a temperature of 72–75°F, a pH of 6–8, hardness around 5–25 dGH.
- Is the West African Bichir aggressive?
- The West African Bichir is semi-aggressive. It can work in a community with careful tankmate choices and enough space.
- What does the West African Bichir eat?
- The West African Bichir is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
- How long does the West African Bichir live?
- With good care, the West African Bichir typically lives 2-5 years.