Delhezi Bichir

The delhezi or barred bichir (Polypterus delhezi) comes from the Congo basin and belongs to a lineage that has changed very little in a long time. It has thick, armour-like scales, a row of separate finlets along the back instead of a single dorsal, and dark vertical bars over a grey-olive body. It also has paired lungs and surfaces to breathe air, which is worth knowing before you set the tank up.

Aquarium care

• Reaches roughly 35 cm and is long-lived.
• Must be able to reach the surface — leave an air gap between the water and the lid.
• A determined escape artist; every opening in the lid needs to be closed off.
• Predatory. It will eat anything it can fit in its mouth, however peaceful it looks.
• Poor eyesight and a strong sense of smell, so it benefits from target feeding.
• Takes meaty frozen foods and sinking pellets; live food is not necessary.

It suits a large tank with robust fish of similar size — larger characins, big catfish, larger cichlids. Do not house it with small fish or dwarf shrimp, and do not expect it to compete with fast surface feeders at dinner time.

Stock rotates with each shipment, and livestock is available for local pickup at our Lethbridge store. See the assorted and interesting collection.