Ornate Bichir

Polypterus ornatipinnis

A living fossil with lungs and a row of little flag-like fins down its back. It gulps air at the surface and swallows any fish that fits.

A predatory freshwater fish that grows to 50 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and an aquarium of at least 400 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

24–29 °C (75–84 °F)

pH

6.0–8.0

Adult size

50 cm (20 in)

Aquarium

400 L or bigger (106 US gal)

Temperament

Predator

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Congo River basin & Lake Tanganyika

Good to know

• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.
• Eats invertebrates. Hunts shrimp, snails and crabs.
• Nocturnal. Hides and rests while the lights are on, and comes out to explore and feed at night.

Tank mates

Good company: Asian Arowana, Bala Shark, Black Ghost Knifefish, Bristlenose Pleco, Clown Loach, Discus, Motoro Stingray, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Will eat: Amano Shrimp, Angelfish, Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra and 42 more.

Attacked by: Demasoni Cichlid, Flowerhorn, Jack Dempsey, Pea Puffer.

Eats the newborn fry of: Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Bristlenose Pleco, Comet Goldfish, Discus, Fancy Goldfish, Flowerhorn, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Oscar.

Colours

• Classic rare

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.