Delhezi Bichir (Polypterus delhezi)

What You Receive

One fish in the selected size

Each basket unit is one Delhezi Bichir. The product combines three size variants under one page so you can choose the available juvenile size that suits the planned aquarium. The selector does not offer a male, female, pair or group option.

Option detail	Current meaning	Not promised
5-6 cm	One fish at approximately 5-6 cm	Not a permanent small-fish size
7-10 cm	One fish at approximately 7-10 cm	Not a sexed specimen
10-12 cm	One fish at approximately 10-12 cm	Not an adult-size fish
Quantity 1	One live fish	Not a pair, trio or pack
Sex	Unsexed	No male or female guarantee
Pattern	Natural individual variation	No exact gallery match

Availability belongs to each variant

One size may be available while another is out of stock. The live size selector is the source of truth for price and availability, so this description deliberately avoids hardcoding either. A fish is not reserved until checkout completes.

Juvenile size does not reduce adult responsibility

All three options are far below the documented maximum. A small fish may need appropriately sized food and protected filter intakes, but it still requires a credible route into its adult aquarium. A temporary grow-out tank is not a reason to postpone planning the final footprint.

Species Identity and Common Names

The accepted species

Polypterus delhezi Boulenger, 1899 is a valid species in family Polypteridae and order Polypteriformes. Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes records the valid name and Congo type material.

Name	Use	Meaning on this page
Delhezi Bichir	Primary aquarium-trade name	The fish offered here
Barred Bichir	Common name	Refers to the dark transverse pattern
Banded Bichir	Alternative common name	Same species in this context
Armoured Bichir	Trade name	Refers to the heavy ganoid scales
Polypterus delhezi	Scientific name	Stable biological identity

How to recognise the species

FishBase describes a subcylindrical body, ganoid scales, 10-13 dorsal finlets and seven to eight dark transverse bars over a grey-olive back. Pattern strength can vary with the individual, age, background, lighting and condition. Identification should use the complete body plan rather than one isolated marking.

Not a Senegal or Saddled Bichir

Several Polypterus species enter the aquarium trade and young fish can look superficially similar. This listing is for P. delhezi. It is not a colour form of the Senegal Bichir and not the larger lower-jaw Saddled Bichir. Compare accepted species names and adult requirements before combining or substituting them.

Understanding the Five Gallery Images

The restored source composite

The first image is a restored source composite with two reference views. It is useful for seeing the elongated body, finlets and pattern, but it is not a photograph of the exact fish selected for dispatch. Two views in one asset do not mean that two fish are included.

Four generated reference illustrations

The remaining gallery assets are generated visual references showing aquarium context, a clean side profile and finlet detail. One planted scene contains two illustrated fish. These images explain general appearance and setup; they do not select quantity, sex, age, exact pattern or body condition.

Gallery position	Media role	Limit
1	Restored two-view source composite	Not the exact dispatched fish
2	Generated driftwood aquarium view	Decor is illustrative
3	Generated two-fish planted view	Does not change quantity one
4	Generated side profile	Pattern and proportions vary
5	Generated finlet and scale view	Not a diagnostic photograph

What can change after transport

A newly arrived fish may rest, look paler or hold its finlets lower while settling. Camera processing and aquarium lighting also alter perceived colour. Use the gallery for species-level orientation, then assess the live animal under stable water and calm lighting.

Delhezi Bichir Care at a Glance

Care point	Practical recommendation
Scientific name	Polypterus delhezi
Family	Polypteridae
Selectable sizes	Approximately 5-6, 7-10 or 10-12 cm
Adult planning size	Up to 44 cm total length
Care level	Advanced
Temperament	Predatory; often calm with unsuitable prey excluded
Adult footprint	At least 180 x 60 cm; larger for groups or tank mates
Approximate gross capacity	About 650L at 180 x 60 x 60 cm external dimensions
Temperature	25-28°C target; 26-28°C published reference range
pH	6.0-8.0, stable
Hardness	5-15 dGH working range
Diet	Carnivore; varied meaty sinking foods
Tank region	Bottom-oriented but must reach the surface

Scientific record and practical recommendation

FishBase records a 44 cm maximum, middle Congo distribution and 26-28°C reference range. The 180 x 60 cm adult footprint is a conservative husbandry decision based on that length and established UK aquarium guidance. It is not presented as a FishBase tank-volume figure.

Measure the aquarium, not its marketing name

Nominal litres do not reveal floor area. Substrate, decor, the dropped waterline and equipment reduce real water volume. Confirm internal length and width before purchase, and remember that a narrow or tall aquarium can hold many litres while offering poor turning room.

Is This Bichir Right for Your Aquarium?

A suitable match when

This fish can suit an experienced keeper with a cycled six-foot aquarium, secure covered surface, soft bottom, strong biological filtration and a carefully planned predator community. The keeper must be comfortable feeding a carnivore, monitoring a mostly crepuscular fish and preventing escape for its full life.

Choose another species when

Choose another fish for a standard community tank, open-top display, small aquarium, fine shrimp colony, nano-fish group or setup where the adult enclosure is uncertain. It is also unsuitable when a guaranteed sex, exact pattern, pair or permanent juvenile-sized animal is required.

Existing setup	Fit	Reason
Cycled 180 x 60 cm covered predator aquarium	Potentially suitable	Verify volume, tank mates and filtration
Large species-only enclosure	Potentially suitable	Provides controlled feeding and refuge
120 cm community aquarium	Unsuitable long term	Adult footprint and predation risk
Open-top planted display	Unsuitable	Serious escape risk
Shrimp and nano-fish tank	Unsuitable	Small animals may be eaten
Uncycled new aquarium	Unsuitable	Ammonia and nitrite must remain zero

Why the care level is advanced

The challenge is not one rare water value. It is the combination of 44 cm adult potential, a large footprint, escape prevention, air access, predatory compatibility, night-oriented feeding and long-term waste management. Describing that responsibility as advanced is more useful than relying on a broad claim that bichirs are hardy.

Adult Aquarium Size and Footprint

Plan at least 180 x 60 cm

For one adult, plan a footprint of at least 180 cm length by 60 cm front-to-back. An aquarium measuring 180 x 60 x 60 cm is about 648 litres gross before displacement and the required air gap. A wider and longer tank is preferable, especially for a full 44 cm fish.

Why footprint beats height

This is a bottom-oriented animal with an elongated body. Length supports patrol and escape distance; width supports turning and resting without scraping decor. Height is useful only when surface access remains easy and the fish is not forced to climb through a maze of equipment.

Planning case	Direction	Important limit
One adult	180 x 60 cm footprint or larger	About 650L gross at 60 cm height
Juvenile grow-out	Temporary and closely monitored	Not a substitute for the adult tank
Multiple bichirs	Increase footprint substantially	Provide several separated refuges
Bichir plus large tank mates	Increase volume and filtration	Stock every species at adult size
Tall narrow aquarium	Poor use of litres	Insufficient turning footprint

Move before the fish is cramped

Do not wait until the animal can barely turn. Growth rate varies, and the smallest option can still become a large predator. Prepare the adult enclosure early enough to cycle it fully and move the fish without an emergency.

Lid Security and Surface Air Access

Seal every escape route

A close-fitting lid is essential. Check gaps around hoses, cables, filter returns and automatic feeders. A strong fish can push against light covers, so secure panels without blocking ventilation or maintenance access. Recheck the lid after every service.

Leave air under the cover

Keep a clear air space between water and lid and an unobstructed route to the surface. Research in Nature Communications documents spiracular air breathing in Polypterus, including P. delhezi. Surface visits are normal biology, not automatic evidence that the fish is trying to escape.

Air breathing is not a filtration shortcut

The ability to use atmospheric oxygen does not make ammonia, nitrite, high waste or stagnant water safe. Maintain oxygen-rich clean water and stable filtration. Investigate a sudden change in breathing frequency alongside temperature, water quality, disturbance and physical condition.

Cycling and Water Quality

Cycle before purchase

The aquarium must process the expected waste load before the fish arrives. Ammonia and nitrite should remain at zero after normal feeding, not only before livestock is added. Clear water is not proof of a mature nitrogen cycle.

Measure	Target	Action if wrong
Ammonia	0 mg/L	Stop adding livestock, test source water and protect the fish
Nitrite	0 mg/L	Improve biological control and reduce immediate load
Nitrate	Controlled and stable	Review water changes, feeding and stocking
Temperature	25-28°C	Correct gradually and check heater reliability
pH	Stable within 6.0-8.0	Find the cause before using rapid chemical correction

Large predators need real filter capacity

Choose filtration for adult biomass and meaty food, not the current centimetres. Provide enough biological media and circulation to prevent waste pockets while avoiding an exhausting jet across every resting area. Keep spare capacity for the complete adult community.

Stability is a system property

Consistent temperature, measured feeding, predictable maintenance and sensible stocking work together. A wide pH tolerance does not mean rapid pH swings are harmless. Use the water parameter matcher to compare the measured aquarium with the target range.

Temperature, pH and Hardness

Target range

Use 25-28°C as the practical target, with 26-28°C documented in the published FishBase record. Target pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-15 dGH. Keep changes gradual and avoid chasing an exact midpoint when the aquarium is already stable and appropriate.

Parameter	Working target	Interpretation
Temperature	25-28°C	Warm, stable tropical water
Published temperature	26-28°C	Scientific reference context
pH	6.0-8.0	Broad range; stability remains essential
General hardness	5-15 dGH	Moderately soft to moderately hard working range
Routine salt	Not required	Not a substitute for mineral balance or diagnosis

Test the water that enters the aquarium

Regional labels such as hard-water area are not enough. Household treatment, mixed supplies, substrate and decor can change chemistry. Measure tap and tank water with reliable tests and record trends so a change is visible before the fish is affected.

Temperature changes oxygen demand

Warmer water holds less dissolved oxygen while metabolism rises. Keep surface movement and filtration appropriate even though the fish breathes air. If heat rises unexpectedly, correct the cause gradually and increase aeration without creating uncontrolled turbulence.

Substrate, Shelter and Lighting

Use a soft bottom

Choose fine sand or another smooth substrate that will not abrade the belly and fins. Remove sharp stone edges and unstable structures. The fish should be able to rest and forage without becoming wedged beneath decor.

Create shade without blocking the surface

Use stable wood, broad caves and robust planting to create several shaded areas. Keep open lanes between shelters and an easy vertical route to air. Floating cover can soften light, but it must not form an impenetrable surface mat.

Feature	Useful choice	Avoid
Substrate	Soft sand or smooth fine material	Sharp coarse gravel
Shelter	Wide stable caves and wood arches	Narrow holes and unstable rock piles
Lighting	Moderate to dim with shaded zones	Unbroken bright exposure
Plants	Robust rooted or attached plants	Dense surface blockage
Open space	Clear turning and surfacing lanes	Decor across the complete footprint

Protect equipment

Guard heaters, intakes and exposed cables from a large bottom fish. Secure suction-mounted equipment independently where possible. Confirm that the fish cannot rest against a heater or enter a pipe opening.

Filtration, Flow and Oxygen

Efficient but not punishing

Provide complete circulation and strong biological capacity with calmer bottom refuges. A return should move and oxygenate water without pinning the fish against the substrate. Use more than one flow path in a wide aquarium if needed.

Protect filter intakes

The 5-6 cm option is small enough to approach openings that an adult could not enter. Use a secure guard where appropriate, inspect it for trapped food and enlarge the system as the fish grows. A clogged pre-filter can reduce flow and oxygen quickly.

Service without destroying the cycle

Clean mechanical waste regularly, but do not sterilise all biological media at once. Rinse reusable media in removed aquarium water when required and preserve mature surfaces. Replace only the parts the manufacturer identifies as consumable.

Behaviour and Daily Activity

Bottom-oriented and crepuscular

The species is demersal and often most active in subdued light, around feeding time or after the main lights dim. A fish resting under cover during the day is not automatically unwell. Learn its normal rhythm before interpreting a change.

Predatory does not always mean confrontational

This bichir may be calm around robust fish that are too large to swallow, yet it remains a predator. Peaceful movement does not make small companions safe. Mouth size, night activity and opportunistic feeding matter more than a generic community label.

Use behaviour as a trend

Watch surfacing pattern, posture, balance, interest in food and use of shelter. A sudden persistent change is more informative than one quiet afternoon. Record water tests and recent maintenance before drawing a conclusion.

Feeding a Delhezi Bichir

Build a varied carnivore diet

Offer appropriately sized earthworms, mussel, prawn, chopped fish and other suitable aquatic meaty foods. Quality sinking carnivore pellets can add consistency where the individual accepts them. Rotate foods rather than relying on one favourite item.

Food type	Role	Control
Quality sinking carnivore food	Balanced prepared option	Confirm the fish accepts it
Earthworms	Meaty variety	Use clean appropriately sourced food
Mussel and prawn	Texture and protein variety	Plain, thawed and portioned
Chopped fish	Occasional aquatic protein	Use suitable species and size
Routine feeder fish	Not recommended	Disease, injury and nutrition concerns
Mammal or poultry meat	Not a routine food	Poor long-term nutritional fit

Feed where the fish can find it

Use a consistent feeding zone near shelter and offer food when the bichir is alert. Its strong sense of smell helps, but fast midwater fish may still take every item first. Target feeding can prevent both underfeeding the bichir and overfeeding the whole aquarium.

Avoid food accumulation

Remove uneaten meat promptly. Large protein-rich leftovers can damage water quality and encourage bacterial growth. Adjust portion size from observed body condition and appetite rather than from a rigid scoop.

Tank-Mate Compatibility

Start with adult size and mouth size

Any fish or invertebrate small enough to swallow is at risk, particularly after dark. Do not use current juvenile proportions to approve a permanent combination. Reassess compatibility as every animal grows.

Companion type	Direction	Main concern
Robust calm fish too large to swallow	Potentially suitable	Match water, footprint and feeding pace
Similarly sized bichirs	Use caution	More space, hides and feeding points
Large peaceful catfish	Case by case	Bottom-space and food competition
Fast aggressive feeders	Poor match	Bichir may be outcompeted or injured
Small fish and shrimp	Avoid	Predation
Persistent fin-nippers	Avoid	Finlet and body damage

No list can guarantee compatibility

Adult dimensions, aquarium layout, feeding speed and individual behaviour all matter. A species name on an approved list is not a promise. Have a safe separation plan before adding any large fish combination.

Small animals are food-sized, not cleaners

Shrimp, fry, nano fish and tiny bottom dwellers should not be used as companions. Dense planting does not remove the risk. If an animal fits in the mouth, assume it may eventually be eaten.

Keeping More Than One Bichir

One fish is the sale unit

Gallery images showing two animals are illustrative. Order quantity one supplies one fish. If more than one bichir is planned, each additional animal increases adult floor-space, shelter and feeding requirements.

Match size carefully

Do not combine a very small juvenile with a much larger predatory fish. Similar body size reduces, but does not eliminate, predation or feeding imbalance. Introductions should be observed closely and a separate mature enclosure must be available.

Duplicate the important resources

Provide several wide refuges, more than one feeding location and clear surface routes. Increase the footprint beyond the single-adult recommendation. Watch for persistent displacement from shelter or food rather than assuming shared species identity creates friendship.

Delivery and Acclimation

Prepare before dispatch

Confirm the aquarium is cycled, covered and at the correct temperature before choosing a delivery date. Test the actual destination water and clear the surface route. Read the current delivery and Live Arrival Guarantee information before checkout.

Use the current arrival instructions

Receive the parcel promptly, keep lighting subdued and compare transport water with the aquarium before changing conditions. Use the acclimation timer alongside the livestock instructions supplied with the order. Avoid adding shipping water to the display unnecessarily.

Stage	Action	Avoid
Before arrival	Test water, secure lid and prepare shelter	Last-minute cycling
Parcel receipt	Open promptly and document concerns	Leaving the box unattended
Condition matching	Follow current species-safe instructions	Abrupt chemistry change
Release	Use dim light and clear surface access	Immediate crowding by tank mates
First meal	Offer a modest suitable portion after settling	Heavy feeding on arrival

The guarantee is a process

If there is an immediate arrival concern, follow the evidence and timing requirements on the current policy page. A guarantee does not replace preparation, prompt receipt or suitable water, and this description does not invent terms beyond the published policy.

The First Seven Days

Keep conditions quiet

Use subdued lighting, stable temperature and predictable maintenance. Allow the fish to choose shelter and reach the surface without being chased. Do not repeatedly move decor to force it into view.

Check objective signs

Test ammonia and nitrite, observe balance, breathing, fins, skin and appetite, and confirm that tank mates are not stealing food. Temporary hiding is less concerning than a worsening combination of rapid breathing, injury, loss of balance and refusal to feed.

Do not medicate by guesswork

Avoid routine salt or medication without a diagnosis and product-safety check. Correct proven environmental problems first. Seek appropriate aquatic-veterinary advice for persistent or severe signs.

Routine Maintenance

Base water changes on measured load

Large carnivorous fish and meaty foods can create substantial waste. Use regular partial water changes that keep nitrate and dissolved waste controlled without abrupt temperature or chemistry shifts. Match replacement water carefully.

Remove hidden food

Siphon behind wood, under caves and around filter intakes. A piece of mussel trapped out of sight can affect water long after the visible meal has ended. Arrange heavy decor so it can be inspected safely.

Audit the enclosure

Check lid fit, seals, cable gaps, heater guards, intake covers and surface access every week. Growth can turn a previously harmless gap or hide into a new risk. Review the full adult stocking plan at the same time.

Health Observation and Escalation

Know the normal baseline

Normal can include daytime resting, evening exploration and periodic surface breathing. Record the individual's usual rhythm. Concern rises when behaviour changes persistently and is accompanied by physical signs or abnormal water tests.

Investigate causes in order

Check temperature, ammonia, nitrite, pH stability, oxygenation, recent maintenance, feeding and aggression before assigning a disease label. Photographs and a timeline are more useful to a professional than a guessed diagnosis.

Escalate serious signs promptly

Persistent loss of balance, severe injury, open lesions, continuous respiratory distress or prolonged refusal of appropriate food deserves expert attention. Use a separate mature treatment enclosure when advised; do not compromise the display biological filter with unverified treatment.

Growth and Long-Term Commitment

Plan to the maximum record

The scientifically recorded maximum is 44 cm total length. Not every aquarium fish reaches that figure, but using a lower casual estimate risks under-housing the individual that does. Adult body mass and turning space matter as much as length.

No fixed lifespan promise

Age at supply, genetics, temperature, water quality, nutrition, disease exposure and accident prevention all affect longevity. There is no responsible fixed lifespan guarantee for one fish. Buy only when long-term large-aquarium care is realistic.

Rehome before a crisis

If the adult enclosure becomes impossible, arrange a suitable experienced home before space or water quality fails. Never release an aquarium fish. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service records a failed introduction linked to aquarium release, illustrating why responsible containment matters.

Comparing Common Bichirs

Compare the exact species, not only the word bichir

Bichirs differ in adult size, jaw structure, pattern and availability. The broad term has more search demand, but it should not blur product identity. Use the scientific name and the care page for the exact animal.

Listing	Useful distinction	Check before combining
Delhezi Bichir	Barred upper-jaw species, up to 44 cm record	180 x 60 cm adult footprint
Albino Senegal Bichir	Different species and colour form	Adult size and feeding competition
Saddled Bichir	Larger lower-jaw species	Substantially greater adult capacity
Teugelsi Bichir	Different tall-bodied patterned species	Adult dimensions and temperament

Use the Polypterus category

Browse the Polypterus category to compare current options. Every product still needs its own adult-size, sale-unit, image and availability check; category membership does not make the fish interchangeable.

Do not buy by colour alone

Pattern can be striking, but adult accommodation and compatibility decide whether the purchase is responsible. Select the species first, then the live size variant, rather than starting from one dramatic gallery image.

Scientific Context

Distribution and habitat

The accepted native range is the middle Congo River basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo. Records describe streams, lakes and flood zones. No exact collection locality or wild-caught status is claimed for the fish offered here.

Air breathing and ancient body plan

Polypterids are living ray-finned fishes with paired lungs and distinctive spiracles, not unchanged fossils. Their anatomy is scientifically important, but the phrase prehistoric-looking should not replace current husbandry. The fish still needs modern standards of filtration, space and welfare.

Evidence boundaries

Scientific references support taxonomy, morphology, distribution, maximum length, carnivory and air breathing. Aquarium footprint, feeding routine and compatibility are practical husbandry decisions built around those facts. This page separates those layers instead of presenting every retail recommendation as a field-study result.

Ordering Responsibly

Choose the size, then set quantity

Select the available 5-6, 7-10 or 10-12 cm option, then set the number of fish required. Quantity one always means one unsexed fish. Review the complete adult plan before adding another individual.

First-order offer

New customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off a first eligible order, subject to the current promotion terms. A discount should never outrun aquarium size, cycling or compatibility planning.

Price and stock are live

The product controls show current price and availability for each size. This description deliberately avoids hardcoding changing commercial values. An option being available does not make an unsuitable aquarium safe.

Delhezi Bichir FAQ

How many fish are included?

One live fish is included per quantity selected. Choose the available 5-6, 7-10 or 10-12 cm option. Gallery images showing two fish do not create a pair.

Is the fish male or female?

Sex is not selectable or guaranteed. All three size variants are sold as unsexed fish.

How large does a Delhezi Bichir grow?

Plan for the documented maximum of 44 cm total length. The selectable juvenile sizes still require an adult-scale aquarium.

What tank size does it need?

For one adult, plan at least a 180 x 60 cm footprint. A 180 x 60 x 60 cm aquarium is about 650 litres gross before substrate, decor and the required air gap.

Does a bichir need a lid?

Yes. Use a secure close-fitting cover and seal gaps around cables and pipework. Leave clear air under the lid and an unobstructed route to the surface.

Why does it swim to the surface?

Polypterus are air-breathing fishes, so periodic surface visits can be normal. A sudden change still deserves water-quality and health checks.

What temperature, pH and hardness are suitable?

Target 25-28°C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-15 dGH, with zero ammonia and nitrite and gradual changes.

What should I feed?

Offer varied appropriately sized meaty sinking foods such as earthworms, mussel, prawn, chopped fish and quality carnivore foods where accepted. Remove leftovers promptly.

Can it live with small fish or shrimp?

No. Any animal small enough to swallow may be eaten, particularly after dark.

Can I keep more than one bichir?

Potentially, in a substantially larger aquarium with similarly sized fish, several refuges, multiple feeding points and a separation plan. Compatibility is never guaranteed.

Are the gallery images the exact fish?

No. The first asset is a restored source composite and four others are generated reference illustrations. Exact pattern, proportions, age, sex and condition vary.

Is this a beginner fish?

No. Adult size, escape prevention, air access, predatory feeding and compatibility make this an advanced-care fish.

Final Aquarium Checklist

Before adding to the basket

• The adult plan provides at least a 180 x 60 cm footprint and roughly 650L gross capacity.
• The mature aquarium is covered, every gap is sealed and surface air remains accessible.
• Measured water is 25-28°C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-15 dGH.
• Ammonia and nitrite are zero and filtration is sized for adult carnivore waste.
• Tank mates are too large to swallow, behaviorally suitable and not overwhelming feeders.
• You understand that quantity one is one unsexed fish and the gallery is representative.

At arrival

Receive the parcel promptly, keep lighting calm, follow the current livestock instructions and confirm that the fish can reach the surface. Offer a modest first meal only after it settles, and document any immediate concern according to the guarantee process.

For long-term success

Maintain a secure enclosure, clean stable water, a soft unobstructed footprint, varied meaty food and compatibility based on adult size. The most responsible Delhezi Bichir purchase begins with the final aquarium, not the juvenile centimetres in the selector.