Ornate bichir

Polypterus ornatipinnis

Size: 30–60 cm · 300–900 g
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: 15–20 years

The ornate bichir is an African ancient fish with armorlike scales and a row of small dorsal finlets. At night it moves over the freshwater bottom almost as if walking.

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Key facts

Ornate bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) is a carnivore animal classified as Fish · Polypteriformes · Polypteridae.
Primary habitats are freshwater, with a range across Afrotropical.
Activity is nocturnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The ornate bichir is an African ancient fish with armorlike scales and a row of small dorsal finlets.
It inhabits rivers, lakes, and wetlands of the Afrotropics.
Typical lifespan: 15–20 years

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It inhabits rivers, lakes, and wetlands of the Afrotropics. Bottom areas with plants, wood, rocks, and cover are favored.

Appearance

Length 30-60 cm; weight 300 g-900 g. A green-brown to dark body carries yellow netlike markings, and small finlets line the back. The pectoral fins can brace the fish against the bottom.

Behavior

Nocturnal and solitary, it supplements gill breathing by gulping air. It often creeps along the substrate using the pectoral fins.

Feeding

A carnivore, it eats small fishes, crustaceans, and insect larvae. Smell helps it locate food in darkness.

Reproduction

Spawning occurs in vegetated shallows during rainy periods. Eggs settle among plants, and larvae develop with external gills.

Notes

It is listed as Least Concern, though local populations can still be affected by habitat change, collection, or pollution.