Common name/s: Palmas bichir, Marbled bichir

Scientific name: Polypterus palmas palmas (2 possible subspecies: Polypterus palmas polli and Polypterus palmas buettikoferi)

Family: Polypteridae

Origin: West Africa: Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone

Maximum size: around 13", not exceeding 14"

Care: Palmas bichirs needs to be housed in a minimum tank size of 55g much due to its activeness, though some may argue that a 30g would be sufficient. They're able to tolerate a range of water conditions, and water temperature should be around 77 to 82f. Decorate the tank with smooth rocks and bogwood, together with the use of dim lighting to keep the fish at ease. Gravel substrate it not recommended as they are clumsy eaters and may accidentally swallow gravel pieces while feeding, leading to choking. The ideal would be fine sand substrate. Palmas bichirs are predatory and will eat any fish that can be fit into its mouth, hence tankmates should be big enough to avoid such a situation.

Feeding: Meaty foods, which includes beef heart, mussels and whitebait, are recommened. Juveniles can feed bloodworms until they are large enough to take bigger foods.

Sexing: Males have a large pocket like anal fin.

Breeding: Unknown.

Comments: Palmas bichirs are more active and generally less aggressive as compared to other bichir species and do not hide much from lighting. They may jump when startled hence a cover is always recommended to prevent the fish from jumping out of the tank.



This post has been edited by Straydum: Jun 6 2008, 08:24 AM