Senegal Bichir Breeding Guide

What is known about reproduction in the Senegal bichir (Polypterus senegalus): sexing by the anal fin, rainy-season spawning behaviour and the difficulty of captive breeding.

Overview

Polypterus senegalus is an ancient, air-breathing fish of tropical Africa that reproduces during the rainy season in nature. Its spawning behaviour is documented, but breeding in the home aquarium is rare.

Sexing

Males are generally smaller than females and have a thicker anal fin, which they use during spawning.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

In nature, reproduction coincides with the rainy season. During courtship the male chases and nudges the female, and the female lays 100 to 300 eggs over a few days. The male cups his anal and caudal fins around the female's vent to receive the eggs, fertilises them, and scatters them in the vegetation.

Egg & Fry Care

The eggs hatch in three to four days. Seasonal cues such as cooler, fresh water associated with the rainy season are associated with the onset of spawning.

Common Challenges

Reliably triggering spawning and rearing the young are the limiting factors, and the large adult size means breeding is practical only with spacious tanks. As a result, captive reproduction remains infrequent.