Polypterus: maintenance in an aquarium

Polypterus, commonly referred to as the "bichir," is an intriguing fish that can infuse your aquarium with a hint of ancient charm. These extinct fish stand out in any tank thanks to their distinctive look, which has allowed them to survive for millions of years. Fish aficionados who value their beauty and fascinating history love Polypterus, which are distinguished by their elongated bodies and armored scales.

To ensure Polypterus thrive, special considerations must be made when maintaining them in an aquarium. Since these fish can grow to be fairly large, a large tank is necessary. Although they do require certain water conditions and a diet that suits their requirements, they are also fairly hardy. You can maintain their health and vitality by taking note of their food and living conditions.

We’ll go over the essentials of taking care of Polypterus in your aquarium in this post. You’ll find all the information you need to give these amazing fish the best possible environment, from tank setup and water quality to feeding advice and tank mates. Be it an experienced hobbyist or a novice, knowing these fundamentals will enable you to build a healthy habitat for your Polypterus.

Aspect Details
Tank Size Polypterus need a large tank, ideally 75 gallons or more, to accommodate their size and activity level.
Water Conditions Maintain a temperature between 75-82°F, with a pH level of 6.5-7.5. Regular water changes are crucial.
Tank Setup Provide a well-planted tank with hiding spots. They appreciate a soft substrate like sand or fine gravel.
Feeding Feed them a varied diet including live or frozen foods like worms, fish, and insects. They are not picky eaters.
Behavior Polypterus are generally peaceful but can be territorial. They may eat smaller fish, so avoid keeping them with tiny tank mates.
Tank Mates Good tank mates include large, non-aggressive fish. Avoid fin-nippers or very small fish.
Maintenance Regularly check the filter and perform water changes. Ensure the tank is well-aerated, as they need oxygen-rich water.

A bit of history

It is widely acknowledged that these animals first appeared in ancient Africa more than 60 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. The primitive anatomy of polypterus is presented as proof of its far-off origin. This includes its cartilaginous skeleton, which resembles the structure of a shark or ray, as well as the way the cranial plates are arranged.

Two genera make up the Polypteridae family (also known as the Polypterids):

  • Calamoichthys (lat. Erpetoichthys) with the only representative, the Calabar calamoichthys (snake fish),
  • Polypterids (lat. Polypterus) with numerous species and subspecies.

With its distinct look and intriguing behaviors, Polypterus is a wonderful addition to an aquarium, but it needs particular maintenance to be healthy. This post will go over the fundamentals of caring for Polypterus in a tank, such as what kind of habitat it needs, what it should eat, and how to keep it happy and healthy. Regardless of your experience level with keeping these ancient fish, knowing what they require will help you set up the best possible habitat for them to live in.

In nature

Every member of the Polypterus family inhabits freshwater lakes and rivers found in Africa and India. These are bottom dwellers, fond of all kinds of thickets and shelters, and used to living in partial shade.

What does a polypterus look like?

These incredible creatures resemble snakes:

  • wide head with large nostrils
  • a strongly elongated body no more than 90 cm long.

Large scales in the form of diamonds cover the body. Scientists have identified a ganoid, a hard protein found in the scales of extinct fish, in its composition.

One of these fins for every 15-20 vertebrae. Another distinguishing characteristic is the peculiar dorsal fin, which extends from the middle of the back to the tail. It appears to be dissected rather than solid. Its entirety is subject to the whims of the fish.

There are two diverging bones in the pectoral fins, spaced by cartilage. The fish can use them as supports to help them cross the riverbed and rest.

The swim bladder of polypterus is modified and has two sections that resemble lungs. The fish is able to take in air at the water’s surface because of this organ. This is a crucial characteristic for organisms that live in low-oxygen environments and for migrating between them.

Types of polypterus

Polypterus senegalus, also known as Senegalese. Among the others, it is the most animated, inquisitive, and tenacious. The body size is between 30 and 40 cm. amiable toward other large fish and its relatives.

Polypterus ornatipinnis, Latin for Congolese (Ornatipinis). incredibly lovely, vivid, and patterned. The abdomen is yellow and white, the head has a pattern in the shape of a mesh, and the body’s primary background is gray-brown with a white marble pattern. Another name for it is a marble dragon. reaches a maximum growth of 40 cm. It is only visible when you are feeding. Compared to the Senegalese, this predator is far more aggressive and extremely nimble.

Polypterus enlicherii, or Endlicher. a fish up to 75 cm in size that is strong and large. Moves slowly during the day and is not very active. requires live food and keeping in a separate, sizable aquarium.

Polypterus delhezi, or Delhezi. Because of its vivid color and small size (maximum 35 cm), it is highly favored by fish enthusiasts. stays in a shelter for the day.

Erpetoichthys calabaricus, also known as Calamoichthys calabaricus. eats tiny fish as food. possesses a graceful, long, thin body, and it will undoubtedly crawl through even the smallest cracks.

Polypterus weeksii, or Wixii. This might be the biggest species. Its body is up to 90 centimeters in size.

Let’s quickly go over the most well-liked ones.

Polypterus senegal

This fish is also known as the Senegal dragon, gray polypterus, and Polypterus senegalus. Although macrognathus and this species are frequently confused, they are entirely unrelated. It was discovered in Senegal near the Nile River, Niger, and Gambia, as well as in Africa and India. It adores clay bank shelters, thickets of vegetation, and shallow, currentless water.

It’s a predator, this. It grows to a maximum size of 70 cm in the wild, but only 40 cm in an aquarium. The body has a consistent blue tint and is silvery-gray in color. Marble-white albinos exist.

The elongated body is covered in scales that resemble diamonds. The pectoral fins resemble fleshy appendages, with a hard spine on the dorsal side and 5–18 soft rays attached, resembling combs or a saw. There is an oval caudal fin. The abdominal fins are firmly moved—almost to the tail—in the direction of the anal.

The swim bladder and pectoral fins of the Senegalese allow it to remain and move on land for extended periods of time, making it a unique species of lungfish.

Its vision is poor, but its sense of smell is keen. The nose is distinctly defined. Its portrait is completed by large, cold eyes and sharp teeth.

The polypterus albino of Senegal.

What an aquarium should be like?

The Senegalese dragon is a modest creature that requires methodical maintenance. 200 liters or more will be required for the aquarium. The top must have a tight-fitting lid with holes in it, and it is best to seal off any gaps that might allow the polypterus to crawl out and fall out and dry out on the floor.

The fish comes to the surface to breathe, but it spends most of its time searching for food in the lower water layers.

Maintaining water parameters within the following ranges is preferable:

  • 24-28 degrees Celsius,
  • acidity 6.2-7.8 рР,
  • hardness 5-20°dH,
  • filtration,
  • weekly changes.

The pond may be adorned with grottoes, stones, and snags. You can plant plants, but you don’t really need them. The Senegalese have a ten-year lifespan if given the right care.

The aquarium’s lighting should be low because polypterus become stressed in bright light.

Feeding the Senegalese dragon

It has a preference for live food:

  • shrimp;
  • squid;
  • earthworms;
  • small fish.

You can also eat flakes and dry food that has been granulated. Adults require one or two meals per week.

Dragons swim in groups when they are younger, but as they get older, they want privacy and their own space.

Fish that are proportionate and that the polypterus cannot eat, like big American cichlids, make excellent neighbors.

Polypterus benefits from long nostrils for hunting.

Reproduction

Reproduction is very difficult to achieve in captivity. In the wild, spawning takes place during the rainy season, and specific alterations in the quality of the water can influence mating behavior. Significant variations in soft, slightly acidic water have been observed by some aquarists to trigger fish spawning.

They don’t seem to be very different sexually.

  • Males have a spade-shaped anal fin.
  • Females have a slightly wider head.

The fish select a partner and spend several days swimming together, biting their fins and touching each other. The female then spawns. It is preferable to lay the Java moss ahead of time for this procedure.

In order to prevent the parents from eating the eggs, they must be removed. The fry must be sorted by size because they are hostile. Strong aeration and regular changes of a small amount of water are necessary for the offspring.

They start feeding the babies Artemia nauplii a week after they first appear. And the same care is given as for adults once they reach 5 cm in length.

Since polypterus lungs take time to develop, fry have external gills on their heads during the first few months of life, just like axolotls.

These unique fish have the ability to identify individuals, are incredibly resilient, seldom become ill, and are not picky about their living circumstances.

Gills atop a young person’s head.

Polypterus delgesi

The most well-liked variety of polypterus due to its vivid hue and compact size (no larger than 35 cm). Below, it is yellowish, with olive-gray and dark stripes running across the body on top.

There are dark patches all around. Men are more intelligent than women. His eyes are small, and he has tubular nostrils. A pointed caudal fin is present.

Aquarium parameters

You only need a 300 liter aquarium for this kind of polypterus. Although it’s not crucial, you don’t have to take it too high. Similar to the preceding species, extra care should be taken with the equipment’s lid and the holes coming from the hoses.

You can leave the pond unadorned, but it will appear less striking. Stones, caves, and driftwood can all be used as décor. It is preferable to take mosses and specimens with hard leaves if plantings are planned.

The maintenance requirements are comparable to those of Senegalese polypterus. Good filtration needs to be given special consideration. Let’s also mention that lighting is not a major factor. It will do for twilight. In addition, you can install a few bluish-spectrum lamps that will turn on at night when the main light is off.

What to feed delgesi?

Delgesi move slowly while searching for food, picking it up from the bottom by scent. As a result, it is important to choose soil that is simple to maintain (a light covering of sand is advised).

It is preferable to choose foods high enough in protein:

  • mussels;
  • shrimp;
  • fry;
  • small fish.

Granules, tablets, and flakes may be given, but they must be sinking.

Even though they have poor vision, these polypterus can react quickly when needed. The majority of hunting occurs at night.

Reproduction in captivity

It is very challenging to produce offspring in a home aquarium. It is advised to raise the water’s temperature, soften it, and add a little acidity for successful spawning.

The male creates a cup from the caudal and anal fins, which the female uses to lay her eggs, and he scatters them across plants with tiny leaves. The parents have been taken out.

3–4 days later, the fry show up. After a week, they start giving them microworms and Artemia nauplii to eat.

Polypterus endlicheri

This species’ native lands include Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali, Sudan, South Africa, and so forth. Both marshlands and rivers are home to its delegates.

The endlicher is a very large animal, growing up to 75 cm in the wild and up to 50 cm in an aquarium. It has a ten-year lifespan in captivity, but longer lifespans have been documented.

These polypteruses have a long, brown body with dark spots. The dorsal fin, which resembles a serrated comb and smoothly transitions into the tail, is larger than the pectoral fins.

Adult aquariums are taken from 800 liters, while juvenile aquariums are taken from 100 liters. The maintenance requirements are the same as they were before:

  • the temperature is maintained at 22-27 ° C,
  • pH: 6.0-8.0,
  • hardness: 5-25°H,
  • The soil is sand.

You can plant echinodorus or nymphs from plants that cast a shadow due to their wide leaves. It is preferable to grow them in pots or to snag their roots. Fish will not experience stress if there is some shade and shelter available.

Since these fish are predators, their diet should also include live food (worms, zoopobus, bloodworm, live fish, etc.) in addition to granules and frosts.

They take their time finding food and eat slowly.

We won’t repeat ourselves because there aren’t many significant differences between the neighborhood and reproduction compared to Senegal and Delgezi.

Conditions for the detention of polypterus

After examining all available data regarding the three varieties of polypteruses, we can summarise the following:

First off, the fish don’t really affect the habitat and are tough enough. With time, they will be able to identify the owner and remove food from his hands.

Second, the following are the ideal circumstances for polypterus:

  • spacious aquarium,
  • temperature 22-30 degrees,
  • hardness no more than 20 degrees,
  • acidity in the range of 6.2-8.5,
  • good filtration, aeration and weekly water changes are required,
  • plants and bright lighting are optional, but shelters should be.

Thirdly, you have the option of giving them frozen, dry, or live food.

Compatibility with other fish

Groups of young fish can be kept. It is preferable not to conduct such experiments on adults.

Select fish that are roughly the same size as your neighbors: big barbs, blue acaras, knifefish, astronotus, small cichlids, etc.

Bad catfish shouldn’t be added because their habits will aggravate the polypterus. Due to poor vision, domestic dragons have occasionally been known to bite fish larger than themselves.

Young Polypterus Eendlicheri showing zebras on the outside.

In an aquarium, caring for Polypterus can be a fulfilling experience for both inexperienced and experienced fish keepers. When their unique needs are satisfied, these ancient fish—known for their unusual appearance and resilient nature—can adapt well to home aquariums. For them to be healthy, the right tank size, water quality, and nutrition are crucial. Large tanks with lots of hiding places and clear, well-filtered water are ideal for Polypterus growth. Maintaining these circumstances will support the health and activity of your Polypterus.

It is essential to provide your Polypterus with a balanced diet in addition to their physical surroundings. Being carnivores, they take pleasure in a wide range of foods, such as small fish and live or frozen prey like worms. Frequent feeding will promote their general health and growth. Remember that giving pets too much food can cause problems with the quality of their water, so it’s critical to give them the correct quantity.

Ultimately, even though Polypterus are low-maintenance plants, they still need to be given regular attention. Your fish will stay healthy if you perform routine water changes and keep an eye out for any disease symptoms. You can continue to appreciate Polypterus’ distinct charm for many years to come if you pay careful attention to their surroundings and food. They are a unique addition to any aquarium setup due to their captivating behaviors and striking appearance.

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Anton Popov

A professional aquarist with over 15 years of experience. Main specialization - marine aquariums and creating optimal conditions for keeping rare species of fish and corals. I am fond of aquascaping, actively participate in international competitions. I love to share knowledge and experience to help others create the beauty of the underwater world at home.

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