Polypterus congicus

Congo bichir
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Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Subclass:	Chondrostei
Order:	Polypteriformes
Family:	Polypteridae
Genus:	Polypterus
Species:	P. congicus
Binomial name
Polypterus congicus Boulenger, 1898

Polypterus congicus, the Congo bichir, is a species of bichir with a maximum recorded size of 970mm (39"). The colours also varies from yellowish-brown to grey, darker in the top, paler in the ventral area. It has a pattern of around 8 irregular vertical bands along the flanks of the fish, that do not extend completely onto the ventral surface. The lower jaw is prominent, much like P. endlicheri. The male has a wider and thicker anal fin.

Captivity

These fish are commonly sold as pets. They are predatory fish and in captivity will take any live or dead animal that can be swallowed or broken apart and then swallowed. The only thing preventing a bichir from emptying an aquarium of smaller fish is its speed; the pectoral fins only allow for slow cruising, and while it can achieve amazing bursts of speed, it can't catch fish of average speed. Given enough time, any fish that can fit in the bichir's mouth will be eaten; this fish should not be kept with any other fish smaller than eight inches. It has been known to eat fish as large as themselves.

Bichirs require a lot of floor space; the height of the tank doesn't matter. You should note that since these specimens can grow over 29" long, they should be kept in a 150+ gallon tank. There should be a gap of air in the tank allowing the bichir to gulp air, the tank can't be full of water. Bichirs are escape artists. Without a secure lid on an aquarium, the fish will eventually escape, and go quite a long distance before drying out and dying.

Bichirs will also take dry foods such as shrimp pellets and occasionally cichlid pellets as well as flakes. They will readily accept frozen bloodworms, blackworms, and other frozen foods. They will also accept earthworms. Take care to wash the worms after collecting them, and make sure no pesticides have been recently spread.

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

References

• Polypterus congicus on FishBase