Ornate Bichir, or Polypterus Ornatipinnis, is an aquatic species typically in tropical regions. It is often called "Chairel," necessary in African culture and a popular aquarium fish.
Ornate Bichir can reach up to 33 centimeters in length, making it one of the largest Polypterus species. They have a unique eel-like shape, slender bodies, and pectoral and dorsal fins.
The Ornate Bichir is an opportunistic feeder and eats a variety of prey, such as insects, small fish, and crustaceans. They use their pectoral fins as prehensile organs to capture their target.
Ornate Bichir inhabit many habitats, from shallow, murky rivers, streams, and swamps to slow-moving lakes. They prefer dense vegetation that provides plenty of hiding places and protection.
The females lay eggs that attach to the substrate using a sticky outer coating. She guards them until they hatch and the fry can swim freely.
This species is a nocturnal animal, spending the day in a well-concealed resting place, while at night, they emerge searching for food in open waters.
Ornate Bichir has an "electric organ" with specific muscles that generate electricity when contracted. The Ornate Bichir can use his 'shock' to stun larger prey and potential predators.
Their water parameters need to remain stable, ideally with temperatures between 23-27 degrees Celsius. An oxygen-rich water environment is also vital for their well-being.
Ornate Bichirs are not fully aquatic. They are known to leave the water, typically to get to another body of water with different requirements of chemistries, such as warmer temperatures, to spawn.
Keeping them in groups of two or more is recommended as it can help them reduce stress, but they are sometimes aggressive with smaller fish, so the pet person should carefully choose what to put with them as a fish tank mate.
Although these fish are generally considered hardy, they can be disease-prone if their water quality, feeding, and tank conditions are improperly maintained.
