Senegal Bircher (6 CM)
£10.99
Please note, due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided.
The Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) is an ancient, eel-like freshwater fish native to tropical African rivers and swamps that can breathe air.
4 in stock
Description
Physical Appearance
- Body shape: Long, cylindrical, and gray or beige with hard, diamond-shaped armor scales.
- Size: Grows from 35.5 cm to 50 cm (14 to 20 inches) long.
- Head: Small and flat like a lizard with poor eyesight. It hunts using a strong sense of smell through protruding nostrils.
- Special organs: A primitive lung (modified swim bladder) lets the fish gulp air at the water surface to survive in low-oxygen water.
Natural Habitat
- Location: Found across 26 African countries, including the Nile River system and West African floodplains.
- Environment: Prefers shallow, slow-moving water, marshes, swamps, and muddy riverbeds.
Behavior
- Feeding: A nocturnal (night-active) carnivore that eats small fish, insects, and crustaceans.
- Movement: Uses large pectoral fins (side fins) to swim or crawl along the ground for short periods.
Keeping Them in Aquariums
- Lifespan: Lives 10 to 15 years, sometimes over 30 years with great care.
- Tank setup: Needs a large tank (at least 40 to 55 gallons) with a soft bottom and a very tight lid to stop them from escaping.
- Tank mates: Peaceful with large fish, but will eat any small fish or shrimp smaller than 3 inches that fits in its mouth.
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