How To Differentiate Bichir?

[keimak]

Like the title says, how do I differentiate between bichirs? such as ornate, senegalus etc etc

 

[england]

There all different, only way is learning how each looks, best person to speak with is gasmask, go to pictures section and look for his collection, best going ever...you will be amazed

 

[gasmask]

Hi.

Ornatipinnis is easy to ID.
They have lots of almost banana yellow in the fins, and a yellow (or sometimes green) and white marble effect on the face.
They can grow very large (60cm) and IMO are one of the most aggressive Bichirs.

It sounds like you are interested in upper jaw Bichirs.

Let me know which species you are interested in and I will be more than happy to provide you with pictures for ID purpose.

 

[keimak]

Gasmask! Your post made me wanted a bichir or 2 for myself too Do you have like a list of names and pictures aswell as max sizes?
I'd be happy if you could do that

 

[gasmask]

Make it easier, what are you looking for in a Bichir?

Max size, active/non active, bright colors, duller more prehistoric looking?
And most of all, spending limit?

Let me know and I will compile a list with pics etc for you.

Also, what size tank do you have, and is their any tankmates?

 

[keimak]

I have not prepared a tank yet but thinking of getting one.
Probably in the 'small' category, active, both bright colours and prehistoric looking are cool to me
The spending limit is around a student's budget?

 

[gasmask]

I have not prepared a tank yet but thinking of getting one.
Probably in the 'small' category, active, both bright colours and prehistoric looking are cool to me
The spending limit is around a student's budget?

OK.
Smaller will mean upper jaw.
Student budget means the rarer ones are out of the question.
Active and nice colors is tricky as the active upper jaws that are also colorful are very expensive (Tuegelsi etc)

So I have narrowed it down to these for you:

Polypterus Delhezi (captive bred ones are more colorful will max out at around 10"-12")
Polypterus Senegalus (cheap, stay small, very active but not so colorful max out at anywhere from 4" for a shortbody to 14" for Turkana variant. Average 10")
Palmas Polli (cheap, active max out at 12" can go a very nice green color)

Those are perfect for you.

Here are some pics for you:

Polypterus Delhezi and Palmas Polli: (Polli on the left, Delhezi on the right with stripes)

Polypterus Senegalus: (fully grown from Lake Turkana)

Have fun!

 

[Squidward]

If you are keen on Bichirs, try and get Frank Schafer's monograph on Poly published by Aqualog. It has all the known species with photos.

 

[gasmask]

If you are keen on Bichirs, try and get Frank Schafer's monograph on Poly published by Aqualog. It has all the known species with photos.

Great book, only some of the information in it is a little outdated.

I compiled an ebook from Aqua Life Magazine (Japan) a while back.
ejected any non Bichir info.

All in Japanese (i really don't want to translate) but the species names are all up to date and correct, and pictures are great.

Get it here: https/rapidshare.com/files/460493189/AquaLife_Polypterus_Special_TGM_edition.pdf

Enjoy!

 

[squarejerry]

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[keimak]

Many thanks gasmask! and nice fishes.
But lets say I go to my LFS and they have some bichirs, how do I differentiate them?
Cause last time I went I saw a few youngsters and I asked which species was it and they didn't know.
Better be safe than sorry

My friend had a picture of a albino bichir at a LFS.

Any idea which species is it? or how big does it grow O:

 

[gasmask]

Many thanks gasmask! and nice fishes.
But lets say I go to my LFS and they have some bichirs, how do I differentiate them?
Cause last time I went I saw a few youngsters and I asked which species was it and they didn't know.
Better be safe than sorry

My friend had a picture of a albino bichir at a LFS.

Any idea which species is it? or how big does it grow O:

The picture you are showing is an Albino Senegalus.
The albinos tend to grow smaller than the non albinos. Max size for an albino is usually around 6-9".

Senegalus are fun Bichirs. Very active, and huge appetites!

They also come in "shortbody" and "super shortbody" versions.

 

[keimak]

So can I put it in my 2.5 feet x 1 feet x 1 feet with my tiger barbs? or I have to have a bigger tank for it O:

 

[gasmask]

So can I put it in my 2.5 feet x 1 feet x 1 feet with my tiger barbs? or I have to have a bigger tank for it O:

1 Albino Senegalus in that tank would be fine and dandy!
Enjoy!

 

[ChilliPepper]

I recommend the Senegalus too; they are very active and just won't stop eating! Very cute as well.

I'd love to find a Polli. If I ever found one I'd snap it up.