Armored Bichir

General information

The Armored Bichir, also known as the Delhezi Bichir, is a freshwater fish belonging to the family Polypteridae. It is native to Africa, specifically the Congo River basin. This species can grow up to 50 cm in length and has a lifespan of around 12 years in captivity.

The Armored Bichir is a carnivorous fish and feeds on a variety of small fish, insects, and crustaceans. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of frozen or live food, such as bloodworms, shrimp, and small fish. It is important to provide a varied diet to ensure proper nutrition.

Males and females can be distinguished by examining their genital papilla. Males have a longer, pointed papilla while females have a shorter, rounded one. Additionally, males tend to be larger and more colorful than females.

The Armored Bichir is a non-guarder and can lay several hundred eggs at a time. Breeding in captivity is possible but requires specific conditions, including the right water temperature, pH level, and water quality. Once the eggs hatch, the fry can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp or small insects.

The Armored Bichir is generally hardy and not prone to many diseases. However, they can be susceptible to bacterial infections and parasites if their water quality is poor. It is important to maintain proper filtration and perform regular water changes to prevent such issues.

The Armored Bichir is native to the Congo River basin in Africa. They can be found in slow-moving rivers and shallow marshes with sandy or muddy substrates.

The Armored Bichir has a spiny dorsal fin which can cause injury to other fish or even humans if not handled carefully. Additionally, they are known to be escape artists and can jump out of uncovered aquariums, so it is important to ensure a secure lid is in place.

It is important to acclimate the Armored Bichir slowly to their new environment to prevent shock and stress. This can be done by floating their bag in the aquarium for about 20 minutes to allow for temperature equalization. Over the next hour or so, small amounts of aquarium water should be added to the bag to help them adjust to the water chemistry.