Common name
Senegal bichir
Scientific name
Polypterus senegalus
Category
Freshwater fish
Group
Oddballs and specialist fish
Environment
Freshwater
Origin
Nile basin and widely across West and Central African freshwater systems, depending on subspecies and population
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
Common aquarium adults are often 30–45 cm, but published wild records reach about 70 cm standard length
Expected lifespan
5–20 years
Minimum housing
At least 600 L with a long broad floor area, guarded intakes and a completely sealed lid retaining warm humid air
Temperature
23–28 °C
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness / minerals
Soft to moderately hard
Salinity
Freshwater
Lighting
Normal aquarium lighting
Placement / swimming zone
Species dependent

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Polypterus senegalus. Preserve the permanent AquaNexus ID and route; retain former scientific combinations and trade names only as searchable aliases. Search names include Senegal bichir, Polypterus senegalus, Cuvier bichir, Polypterus senegalus meridionalis.

Environment and housing

Large floor area, dim cover, calm resting zones, secure lid with warm humid air access, guarded intakes and strong biological filtration.

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Carnivorous predator

Feeding routine: Small appropriate meals based on age and body condition

Breeding and reproduction

Seasonal egg spawning among vegetation or spawning media is documented; adults do not guard the eggs and may consume them

Breeding plan: Seasonal egg spawning among vegetation or spawning media is documented; adults do not guard the eggs and may consume them Parental care: No parental care.

Compatibility plan

Research adult mouth size, feeding method and sensory needs before choosing tankmates.

Filtration and aeration

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration sized for the adult group and feeding load, with protected intakes and a flow pattern suited to the species.

Aeration: Maintain dependable gas exchange and dissolved oxygen with surface agitation or supplementary aeration while preserving sheltered resting areas.

Maintenance

Test water routinely, remove waste and uneaten food, service filtration without destroying biofilm and review stocking as animals mature.

Adult projected load

Adult projected load includes mature body mass, social-group size, territorial space, oxygen demand, feeding waste and breeding output.

Welfare and risk

Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. Escape gaps, dry air above the water and unguarded intakes can kill this fish. Its flexible body reaches spaces that look impossible.

Main risk: Escape gaps, dry air above the water and unguarded intakes can kill this fish. Its flexible body reaches spaces that look impossible.

Biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Overridable warnings

Warnings may be overridden only after adult size, group structure, filtration, aeration, compatibility and maintenance capacity are recorded.

Sources