Polypterus delhezi Care Guide
Polypterus delhezi is a barred Congo bichir, an air-breathing carnivorous primitive fish that hunts by smell and is hardy in captivity.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Polypterus delhezi, the barred or armoured bichir, was described by Boulenger in 1899; the species name honours the Belgian naturalist Henri Paul Delhez. It is found in the upper and middle Congo River basin in Central Africa. Like other bichirs, it has a heavily armoured, primitive body and a row of dorsal spines.
Taxonomy
- Family: Polypteridae
- Genus: Polypterus
- Scientific name: Polypterus delhezi
- Described by: Boulenger, 1899
- Common name: Armoured Bichir
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species inhabits the middle Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Congo, living in streams, lakes and flooded zones at tropical temperatures of 26-28 °C. It carries 7 to 8 black transverse bars over a greyish body with yellowish underside.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 300 L
- Maximum size: up to about 44 cm TL (FishBase); KB range 30-40 cm
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 10-20 years
- Bichirs are accomplished jumpers, so a tight lid is required
Diet
According to Wikipedia, Polypterus delhezi is entirely carnivorous and hunts small fish, insects, worms, shrimp, prawns and mussels, locating food by smell rather than sight.
Compatibility
The species is semi-aggressive and bottom-dwelling. It can share a tank with robust companions such as larger Synodontis and mid-sized cichlids, but small fish may be eaten.
Breeding
According to FishBase, reproduction occurs seasonally during the rainy season. Captive breeding is rated advanced, though the species is bred commercially.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009).
Polypterus delhezi Breeding Guide
Overview
Polypterus delhezi, the barred bichir, is a primitive, facultative air-breathing fish from Africa's middle Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Congo, living in streams, lakes and zones of flood. It reaches a total length of about 44 cm and is a nocturnal, entirely carnivorous predator that relies heavily on smell rather than its poor eyesight when hunting.
Conditioning
The diet is entirely carnivorous and includes essentially anything that can be sucked into the mouth, such as small fish, insects and worms; in captivity shrimp, prawn and mussels are noted as favoured prey. Feeding a varied carnivorous diet is the basis of any conditioning attempt.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Reproduction and spawning occur during the rainy season. In bichirs generally, the female lays anywhere from 100 to 300 eggs over the span of a few days, with subsequent fertilization by the male. Detailed spawning behaviour specific to P. delhezi is not documented in the consulted sources and is omitted.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 26-28 C
- Habitat reference: streams, lakes and flood zones of the middle Congo basin
- Reproduction tied to the rainy season
- Adult size around 44 cm TL
Common Challenges
The main obstacle is that home spawning is not reliably achieved; seasonal rainy-season cues that drive reproduction in the wild are difficult to reproduce indoors. A securely covered tank is essential, since bichirs are accomplished escape artists.