Advanced
Saddled Bichir (Polypterus endlicherii)
24–28°C · pH 6–7.8 · 600L
From £17.99Some sizes on sale
One live, unsexed Delhezi Bichir (Polypterus delhezi) in the selected 5-6, 7-10 or 10-12 cm size. Advanced care: plan an adult aquarium at least 180 x 60 cm with a secure lid and clear surface access.
Polypterus delhezi
One live, unsexed Delhezi Bichir (Polypterus delhezi) in the selected 5-6, 7-10 or 10-12 cm size. Advanced care: plan an adult aquarium at least 180 x 60 cm with a secure lid and clear surface access.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
Delhezi Bichir (Polypterus delhezi) is a large, patterned African predator for an experienced keeper with a long, tightly covered aquarium. Also sold as the Barred, Banded or Armoured Bichir, it has ganoid scales, separate dorsal finlets and dark cross-bars over an olive-grey body.
This product is one live, unsexed fish in the selected size. Choose approximately 5-6 cm, 7-10 cm or 10-12 cm where the live variant is available. Quantity one is not a pair, group or pack, and every option must be housed for an adult that can reach 44 cm total length.
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
| 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 |
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.
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.
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 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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sex is not selectable or guaranteed. All three size variants are sold as unsexed fish.
Plan for the documented maximum of 44 cm total length. The selectable juvenile sizes still require an adult-scale aquarium.
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.
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.
Polypterus are air-breathing fishes, so periodic surface visits can be normal. A sudden change still deserves water-quality and health checks.
Target 25-28°C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 5-15 dGH, with zero ammonia and nitrite and gradual changes.
Offer varied appropriately sized meaty sinking foods such as earthworms, mussel, prawn, chopped fish and quality carnivore foods where accepted. Remove leftovers promptly.
No. Any animal small enough to swallow may be eaten, particularly after dark.
Potentially, in a substantially larger aquarium with similarly sized fish, several refuges, multiple feeding points and a separation plan. Compatibility is never guaranteed.
No. The first asset is a restored source composite and four others are generated reference illustrations. Exact pattern, proportions, age, sex and condition vary.
No. Adult size, escape prevention, air access, predatory feeding and compatibility make this an advanced-care fish.
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.
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.
24–28°C · pH 6–7.8 · 600L
23–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 1000L
20–24°C · pH 7–8 · 45L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 2000L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
28–30°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 300L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 200L
22–28°C · pH 7–8.5 · 10L
23–27°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 80L
