Polypterus endlicheri Care Guide
Polypterus endlicheri is a heavyset African bichir with broad jaws and dark saddle bars, a nocturnal piscivore that grows large.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Polypterus endlicheri, the saddled bichir, was described by Heckel in 1847 and is one of the bichir species. It is widely distributed across central and western Africa, occurring in rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps and even brackish systems in around a dozen countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Sudan.
Taxonomy
- Family: Polypteridae
- Genus: Polypterus
- Scientific name: Polypterus endlicheri
- Described by: Heckel, 1847
- Common name: Saddled Bichir
Habitat
According to Wikipedia, the species inhabits slow-moving waters with heavy vegetation, prefers deeper water than some relatives and can survive in oxygen-depleted environments. Its tannish-yellow body carries four to six black bands running vertically toward the belly, giving the saddle pattern, and 11 to 14 dorsal finlets.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 800 L
- Maximum size: 60-75 cm (about 24-30 in); recorded weight up to about 3.3 kg
- Temperature: 24-28 °C (75-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 5-20 °dGH
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
- A heavy, secured lid is essential as bichirs jump
Diet
According to Wikipedia, Polypterus endlicheri is piscivorous, feeding on fish such as tilapia and catfish and opportunistically taking crustaceans and molluscs. It is a nocturnal hunter that tracks prey by smell.
Compatibility
The species is semi-aggressive and bottom-dwelling. It suits robust companions such as larger catfish, but small fish are at risk of being eaten.
Breeding
Breeding is rated advanced and is uncommon in home aquaria.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2019).
Breeding the Saddled Bichir (Polypterus endlicheri)
Overview
The Saddled Bichir (Polypterus endlicheri) is a large African polypterid that reaches around 61-76 cm, with females growing larger than males. It is a piscivore of central and western Africa, recorded across the White Nile, Niger River and Chad Basin (FishBase; Wikipedia). Polypterids have rarely been bred in captivity: the first documented success in the family was Polypterus senegalus by Arnoult in 1964, and P. endlicheri was reported reared from 1995 (Wikipedia). Home reproduction is not a realistic goal.
Sexing
Within the genus the most reliable external sex cue is the anal fin, which is broader and thicker in mature males because it forms a cup used during fertilisation. In P. endlicheri females also grow larger than males (Wikipedia).
Conditioning
Spawning in P. endlicheri occurs during the rainy season in response to changes in water temperature and chemistry (Wikipedia). Conditioning therefore centres on heavy feeding of meaty foods on mature adults, followed by simulated seasonal change. Because of the fish's large adult size, this is feasible only in very large systems.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
A receptive male displays by cupping his enlarged anal fin, then follows and nudges the female. According to species accounts, when the female is ready the male places his cupped anal fin beneath her genital papilla, catching and fertilising the eggs as they are released (Wikipedia). Across the genus, spawning is triggered by imitating the rains - large, generous changes with cooler, softer water that lower conductivity, followed by a temperature rise.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are slightly adhesive and stick to vegetation. In P. endlicheri they hatch after about three days into fry roughly 5 mm long (Wikipedia). Polypterid larvae carry branched external gills resembling those of newt and salamander larvae, which are lost as the fish grows (genus account, Wikipedia). Bichirs generally provide no parental care, so eggs and fry must be protected from the adults.
Common Challenges
The principal obstacle is the species' size and the very large volumes needed to house breeding adults and trigger a seasonal flood cycle. Reliable pair formation, predation of eggs and fry by the parents, and the rarity of any documented home success make this an advanced, largely commercial undertaking.