Ornate Bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis)

Description

The Ornate Bichir is a distinctively marked, large growing species found throughout parts of the Congo River Basin and surrounding areas in Central and East Africa. This species is exported from the Congo but is also commercially bred in Asia for the aquarium trade. The largest of the upper jaw group of bichirs, they can reach an impressive 24 in size as adults in the wild. In the aquarium, they have been popular for many years due to their eel-like body shape, predatory nature, and unique appearance. Like all bichirs, they are hardy fish, requiring a large tank due to their adult size but are otherwise undemanding.