Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Senegal Bichir
Polypterus senegalus
Also called Gray bichir, Grey bichir, Cuvier's bichir, Dinosaur eel, Dragon fish
From Tropical Africa: swamps, lagoons, river edges and floodplains across West Africa and the Nile, Chad, Niger, Volta and Congo basins, as well as lakes Turkana and Albert.12
At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives about 35 cm as typical; Seriously Fish lists 50 cm and FishBase a maximum of 70 cm (standard length).
Wikipedia gives 10-15 years in captivity; FishBase records 34 years or more and Seriously Fish over 30 years in aquaria.
Looks how to spot one
Long body armoured with thick, diamond-shaped scales
An elongated, prehistoric-looking fish with a rounded face, tube-like nostrils and a long back fin split into many small sail-like finlets. Body colour is usually plain grey to beige, sometimes with a pinkish, whitish or bluish tint, and an albino form is also seen.23
Personality what they are like
Generally easy-going with fish too big to swallow, but it is a predator that will eat smaller tankmates. Good companions include other bichirs, Synodontis catfish, knifefish, larger Ctenopoma, medium to large characins and African butterflyfish.32
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A slow, careful bottom hunter that explores and scavenges, then rests for long spells. Its eyesight is weak, so it finds food mostly by smell.23
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Needs a tight, heavy lid as it is an escape artist, and constant access to the surface because it breathes air. Floor space matters more than depth.3
Home where they are happiest
Tropical freshwater. Seriously Fish recommends a base of about 150 x 60 cm (roughly 540 L) for adults, 24-28 °C, pH 6.2-7.8 and 5-20 dGH; FishBase gives 25-28 °C and pH 6.0-8.0. A soft bottom with caves, roots and plants for cover works well.31
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivore. Wild fish eat insects, crustaceans, molluscs, frogs and fish. In captivity offer meaty foods such as prawn, white fish, bloodworm and brine shrimp, and many will also accept good-quality sinking cichlid pellets.13
Company who they like around
Can share a tank with other bichirs and robust, larger fish. It does not need company, but tankmates should be at least half its size.32
The story where it all began
Cuvier described the Senegal bichir in 1829. Bichirs belong to an old lineage of ray-finned fish whose fossil record reaches back to the Triassic, which is why it is often called a living fossil. Its hardy nature and ancient look made it one of the most widely kept bichirs.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
In a 2014 study, young Senegal bichirs raised on land learned to 'walk' more efficiently on their fins, and even their skeletons changed shape.4
- 2
Instead of a normal swim bladder it has primitive lungs and gulps air at the surface.2
- 3
Its young carry external gills, which shrink and vanish as they grow.3
- 4
Its tough layered scales have been studied as a model for designing flexible body armour.2
- 5
Breeding happens in the rainy season, and a female scatters about 100-300 eggs among plants that hatch in just 3-4 days.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FishBase
- Described by Cuvier in 1829; family Polypteridae.1
- IUCN Red List (via FishBase)
- Least Concern (assessed 2019).1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Senegal Bichir. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Feedingevery day
- Water changeAbout 30 to 50% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseevery 2 weeks
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Polypterus senegalus, Gray bichir - FishBase fishbase.seused for origin, taxonomy, IUCN status, max size, lifespan, water parameters, diet
- Gray bichir - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, distribution, size, lifespan, appearance, colours, behaviour, fun facts
- Polypterus senegalus senegalus - Seriously Fish seriouslyfish.comused for tank size, water parameters, diet, compatibility, lid, lifespan, history
- Developmental plasticity and the origin of tetrapods (Standen, Du & Larsson, Nature 2014) nature.comused for fun fact on land-raised bichirs
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.