Our Guide To Keeping Ornate Bichir Fish

1. About Fish Species:

   • Scientific name: Polypterus ornatipinnis
   • Common name: Ornate Bichir
   • Family: Polypteridae
   • Origin: West and Central Africa
   • Adult length: Up to 50 cm
   • Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

2. Tank Setup:

   • Ornate Bichirs require a large tank with a minimum size of 200L to accommodate their size and swimming habits.
   • Provide plenty of hiding spots such as caves, PVC pipes, and driftwood as they enjoy exploring and hiding during the day.

3. Water Parameters:

   • Keep the water temperature between 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F) and maintain a pH level around 6.5 to 7.5.
   • Ensure good water quality with regular water changes to prevent ammonia and nitrite buildup.

4. Filtration and Water Flow:

   • Use a powerful filtration system to keep the water clean as Ornate Bichirs are messy eaters.
   • Provide gentle to moderate water flow to mimic their natural habitat.

5. Diet:

   • Ornate Bichirs are carnivorous and primarily eat live or frozen foods such as earthworms, shrimp, fish, and insect larvae.
   • Offer a varied diet to ensure they receive proper nutrition, and avoid feeding them large meals that they cannot consume in one sitting.

6. Tank mates:

   • They can be kept with other large, peaceful fish species that won't see them as food, such as larger tetras, peaceful cichlids, and catfish.
   • Avoid keeping them with aggressive or fin-nipping fish that may harm or stress them.

7. Behavior and Compatibility:

   • Ornate Bichirs are nocturnal and spend most of their day hiding or resting at the bottom of the tank.
   • They are solitary fish and may show aggression towards their own kind or other bottom-dwelling fish if the tank is too small or lacks hiding places.