Polypterus ornatipinnis – Ornate Bichir

Polypterus ornatipinnis – Ornate Bichir

“if I had discovered only this species in Egypt, it would compensate me for the pains usually involved in a long journey”. These are words of scientist Geoffry Saint Hilaire who was participating in a scientific expedition organised by Napoleon along the invasion of Egypt. Sitting next to the Nile river he discovered a 1 meter sized  green pre-historic fish, which had been known since the time of the Pharao’s. Local called the fish something like Bee-sheer, probably phonetically spelled by the French as Bichir. In 1802 this species was described as Polypterus bichir.

The current family Polypteridae are the sole survivors of the ancient group Polypteriformes, dating from the late Cretaceous period, 100-60 million year ago, referenced as the last phase of domination of dinosaurs.  Distribution of Polypteriformes  covered an area stretching current Africa and South-America.

Polypteridae (common name bichir’s) are one of the most current primitive ray-finned fish. Overall distribution covers freshwater systems of Africa, mostly 10 degrees north and 10 degrees south of the equator. Fossil records of Chad point out that the current species already lived during the late Miocene (5.3 milion years ago). The fossil is said to be very similar to the current P. Bichir and P. endlicheri, species that are still found in that area nowadays.

Evolution may seem to take place in slow-motion concerning this ancient fish. However, under influence of geographical distribution and different habitats different species and variants arose. The familiy Polypteridae consists of 2 genera:

1. Erpetochthys, constisting only one species: E. Calabaricus
2. Polypterus, consisting 13 species and several variants

The last twenty years the existing description of the species was subject to a lot of confusion among ichthyologists, struggling to fit in variants that were newly discovered. Amended insight led to structural changes in classification, distinguishing 3 groups of Polypterus:

• Senegalus group including Erpetoichthys. Species within these group  have a larger upperjaw or of similar length. As a result the mouth opens to the lower side, equipping these species for feeding on (dead) food from the bottom. This upperjaw group consist E. calabaricus, P. senegalus, P. palmas, P. delhezi, en P. polli.
• Weeksii group is another upperjaw group  with a larger upperjaw or of similar length. Member of this group are P. weeksii, P. ornatipinnis, P. retropinnis, P. teugelsi en P. mokelembembe.
• Bichir and Endlicheri group with a larger underjaw then the upperjaw, resulting in a mouth that opens to the upside. These species are more specialised in hunting living animals,  zoals amphibian, aquatic insects and fish. To this group belong P. bichir, P. ansorgii en P. endlicheri. Underjaw species tent to grow considerably larger then upperjaw species.

Description

Bichirs have a cylindric bodyshape, similar to that of a reptile. The body is covered by multilayered scales, rhombiod in shape, with an outer layer of ganoine a middle layer of dentine a layer of isopidine and an inner dermal, cosmine bony layer and are referred to as ganoid scales. They have 7 to 16 triangle formed fin dorsal din (Polypterus means many fins), which make a dragon-like appearance. Pectoral fin are places exactly where you would expect legs on a lizzard. The swim bladder is modified to a primitive lung, enabling the fish to take supplementary gulps of air. Combined with the gills a useful adaption to swamps with a low oxygen content. Even when the oxygen level is sufficient, Polypterus will gulp air from the surface on a regular base. Young specimens have external gills, that are clearly visible and are similar to salamander. While growing these external gills dissapear. The scales prevent Polypterus from drying out quickly when out of the water. In dense conditions Polypterus can survive out of the water up to 2 days, using their pectoral fins to crawl over land.

Eyesight of Polypterus is poor. Food is found by smell. Most of the time when they smell food they follow the general direction of the smell. Often they stumble upon the food, smell again and swallow. Sometimes they hoover past or over the foodsource to discover they just missed it, and simply hoover back. Even blind specimens are able to find their food. Polypterus have two bony plates in the underjaw which help to crush food. In the natural habitat a deathroll is observed when the fish stumbles on bait to large to swallow.  Like  crocodile the fish bites into the bait and pivots to tear of pieces of meat.

Sexing

Male are distinguished by the thicker anal fin that is about twice as wide as the anal fin of a female and is also more muscular. This is the only reliable way of sexing specimens. However the differences appear at a length of 15-20 cm only. Some species are sexually mature after 2 years, the larger species after -8 years. Female specimens grow generally larger then male and have a somewhat larger head.

Polypterus ornatipinnis

Polypteris ornatipinnis is in high demand because of the attractive colorpattern, consisting of a beige/black marmered pattern of triangles consistently laid over the whole body. When the fish gets older the pattern will fade.

Polypteris ornatipinnis is quite an active species with a maximum size of 65 cm one of the larger of the upperjaw group. From all upperjaws species it is also the one that tends to hunts most actively on fish. Polypterus ornatipinnis is a large species that should be kept with larger, robust fishspecies.

Polypterus ornatipinnis is found in the Congo basin, Lake Rukwa and Lake Tanganyika (only near estuary).

Behaviour

Polypterus are opportunistic ambush predators that mostly feed on bait. Generally they move slowly and cautiously. Most of the time they hide themselves. Often they get more active in dusk or at night, although there are large differences in terms of activity within the species. The larger underjaw species tends to be more active, with less tendency to hide. 

There are variations concerning activity, curiosity and voraciousness among the species. However, there are also variations per specimen. Aquarists therefore often have different experiences wehn it comes to keeping a species in an aquarium.

In general Polypterus is peaceful towards other fishspecies, as long it is clear that tankmates do not fit in their mouth. Smaller fish up to 2/3 of their own size can be considered food, especially torpedo-shaped fish. As natural fish hunters, especially the underjaw species can swallow large prey and are able to open their mouth almost the diameter of their body. Polypterus is also tolerent to conspecifics of their own size. However, there will be minor territorial conflicts. On the other hand there are reports from aquarists from individual specimens that will not accept conspecifics or even other fish.

Polypterus is not a good choice for combining with aggressive tankmates, like breeding cichlids. The polypterus will hide then and stop feeding.

Polypterus has poor eyesight and find their food by smell and coincidence. Most of the time the food is approached slowly until stumbled upon and then suddenly swallowed. Sometimes they hoover past of over the foodsource, to detect their fault and hoover back to where the smell is strongest. This clumsy sighting can raise an expectation that this is not an efficient hunter at all and to the misplaces conclusion that smaller and faster tankmates might be safe.

Fish are seldom hunted actively (only some larger underjaw species are known for hunting fish actively). Appearances are deceptive, as a Polypterus is able to attack prey from a ambush with A considerable burst of speed. If this tactic is not effective there is also the dusk or night to catch prey with relative ease.

Polyterus can produce sound. A rhythmic knocking sound is only noticable using equipement and is made when specimens meet each other, while spreading the dorsal fins. The sound proved to be strongest in the frequency range of 100-200 hz, with a maximum of 3 pulses a second. The volume decreases when specimens take a distance to each other. Groaning can be heard without equipement when speciments are chased away. It is not know how these sound are mechanically produced.

Despite it is a rudimentarypredator, for many aquarists Polypterus have a touching appearance, caused by the dragon-like appearance, the slow way of moving and the funny pectoral fins. Many aquarists pet their Polypterus by feeding them by hand.

In the aquarium Polypterus can get 10-15 year old.

Floating

A common sight is a floating Polypterus at the surface, preferably resting on aquatic plants of a piece of wood. Some specimens show this behaviour on a regular base, while other speciments only when they are relatively new. Most of time it is a sighn that th Polypterus does not feel comfortable (yet). Often a Polypterus that is introduced in a aquarium was quit active in the shop and hangs only at the surface in the new aquarium. It seems a natural defensive posture. In a juvenile stage they are most vulnerable of predation when they have to burst to the surface for a gulp of air. To prevent such dangerous trip to the surface they choose to stay near the surface. This behaviour is especially common for the species from the upperjaw group. 

Apart from this a Polypterus that is stressed to much, often will excrete a more slimy coat on their body.

Launching itself forward in an uncontrolled manner

A defensive reaction when the Polypterus feels threatened. It seems passive and in rest and suddenly launches itself forward by stretching its tail and knocking several objects on its way.  Since Polypterus have a sensitive line-system all over the body it it possible they detect disturbing sounds like a slamming door in house of a person entering the room.

Balancing on its tail

One of unique behavioural feature is the balancing act on its tail. In this ambush position they can overlook the area and attack in case of an opportunity.

Repacking

With a full stomach, the Polypterus bends his body from left to the right, surpressing its muscles in order to repack the food in the stomach. Comparable to how we overload a suitcase.

Death Roll

Just like we can observe wiht crocodiles, Polypterus can carry out death rolls. When a bait is to large to swallow, they bit in it and rotate to tear of peaces of meat. However aquarists will not see this behaviour very often since it makes no sense to feed larger food then fish can swallow.

Breaking the surface

If a specimen breaks the surface (other then gulping air) then it is a sign of the start of the mating season

Bending the anal fin (only males)

The muscled anal fin is important for courtship. When the males become sexually mature, they instinctivelu show off by bending their anal fin. With the bended anal fin they are able to catch eggs, fertilize them, and release them.

Stalking

If a male is stalking a female then it is part of the courtship.

Scratching itselves

Polypterus can use their dorsal fins to scratch the sides of their body. Wile scratching they bend their muscled body so they can reach further.

Yawning

Probably the yawning is an exercise to keep the mandibular joints healthy and flexible or to reposition them after swallowing a meal.

Lay next to or upon each other

Especially in aquarium with less hidingplace or too bright light this behaviour is seen. Often some Polypterus are piled up in a corner. This can be seen as just an attempt to hide. They feel secure next to each other, underneath or simply in a position where they cannot see their surroundings.

Bury their head

This behaviour is only observed from P. Endlicheri, P. Delhezi en P. Weeksii.

It can be used to hide when it feels threatened, but also as an ambush hunting technique. They cover themselves in the sand, while only they eyes remaining visible.

Aquarium

An aquarium with open place for swimming room combined with many hiding places with aquatic plants, rocks of driftwood. Somewhat dimmed lighting will result in a Polypterus that feels more comfortable and is more active. Especially young or new introduced specimens will appreciate spots where they can rest next to the surface

Polypterus are muscled, powerful fish that like to hide in vegetation. Aquatic plants should be strongly attached. Young specimens can be kept in an aquarium sized 80 cm. While growing – depending on the species – a larger aquarium will be required. It is important to close the aquarium very well. With their muscled body they are able to lift the lit of the aquarium or squeeze themself through small openings. These animals are true escape artist and most of the fish kept in aquarium end their life next to the aquarium. Last but not least it is important to leave an airgap between de lit and the watersurface, so the Polypterus is able to gulp air from the surface.

Polypterus is quite resistant against a variety of fish diseases, like itch. However, they do not cope with medication very well. Suggestion is to half the advices dosage of this medication.

Often, wildcaught specimens (most Polyterus in the trade) can carry the parasite Macrogyrodactylus polypteri. In the aquarium this parasite will proliferate very fast and will find the fish soon. Most speciments will not survive this event. When buying Polypterus a quarantaine aquarium might be considered. Also it is possible to kill parasites with a saltbatch during transfer. Mix 5 theaspoons of common salt (NaCI) per 3,8 liter water. Add 1/3 of the solution in the transferbag, wait for 10 minutes and add the next 1/3.  Pay attention to the fish, and take it out of the water incase of the first signs of stress. Otherwise, Cover the bag, so it is dark and wait another 15 minutes. Common salt does not influence the PH. Do not use aquarium salt or seasalt, since this influences PH level, which is in fact the biggest (fatal) cause of stress and acclimatisation issues. Seems the salt water dip cause stress, take the fish out of the water.

Since Polypterus can be tamed in aquarium, it is tempting to feed it by hand. Watch out. The last dorsal fins are razorsharp and a escaping Polypterus knows how to use them.

In general Polypterus is not aggressive towards other fish from similar size. Suitable tankmates are:

• Other Polypterus species
• Erpetoichthys calabaricus

Catfish

• Pimelodus blochii
• Auchenoglanis occidentalis
• Parauchenoglanis macrostoma
• Sturisoma aureum
• Synodontis alberti
• Synodontis angelicus
• Synodontis pleurops
• Synodontis decorus
• Synodontis eupterus
• Synodontis notatus
• Synodontis brichardi
• Synodontis nigrita
• Synodontis flavitaeniata
• Synodontis soloni
• Heteropneustes fossilis
• Bagrichthys hypselopterus

Tetra’s

• Metynnis argenteus
• Distichodus notospilus
• Phenacogrammus interruptus
• Myleus schomburgki
• Bryconaethiop microstoma

Eels

• Macrognathus aculeatus

Cichlids (avoid breeding pairs, because of the level of aggression)

• Cichlasoma bimaculatum
• Tilapia joka
• Astronotus ocellatus
• Cichlasoma severum
• Pelvicachromis pulcher
• Satanoperca acuticeps
• Aequidens pulchrus
• Gymnogeophagus balzanii
• Cichlasoma spilurum
• Mesonauta festivus
• Aulonocara nyassae
• Gymnogeophagus balzanii
• Aequidens geayi
• Steatocranus casuarius
• Cichlasoma callolepis
• Aulonocara jacobfreibergi
• Cleithracara maronii
• Aequidens portalegrensis
• Uaru amphicanthiodes

Labyrinthfish

• Ctenopoma acutirostre
• Ctenopoma oxyrhynchus
• Ctenopoma kingsleyae

Carps

• Balantiocheilos melanopterus
• Leptobarbus hoevenii
• Puntius denisonii
• Barbodes schwanefeldii

Other

• Phractolaemus ansorgei
• Apteronotus albifrons
• Gnathonemus petersii
• Pantondon bucholzi
• Xenomystus nigri

Polypterus ornatipinnis is one of the two Bichir species that is found in Lake Tanganyika. Many Tanganyika specialist aquarists are desperately searching for biotop correct fishspecies other then Chiclids. For them it is good to know that Polypterus is rarely found in the lake itselve, but only in shallow waters of estuaries. Although in nature they will never live along with deepwater species, from a distance Polypterus seems a good choice for combining with Cyphotilapia frontosa. Reports, however are varying, since Cyphotilapia frontosa tends to eat or destroy Polypterus just like Spiny Eels. Polypterus does not combine with territorial or otherwise aggressive fishspecies. Also they are not a good combination with Channa’s (Snakeheads) and fish of the Labeo family. It is reported that combining with mouthsucking catfish can cause a problem since they can stalk them to graze the body of the Polypterus and destroy it.

Feeding

Polypterus is carnivorous. In the natural habitat they prey on small fish, aquatic insects, crabs, shrimp and amphibian. Polypterus ornatipinnis seems meer specialized in hunting on living fish and amphibian.

In the aquarium they are no selective eaters. Suitable food is:

• Mysis
• mosquito larvae
• Shrimp
• Krill
• Tubifex
• Pieces beefsteak
• Squid
• Mussel
• Fish meat (avoid salmon because of its high concentration of oil
• Meal worms (avoid popped ones, since they can cause constipation)
• Earthworms
• Feederfish (avoid goldfish because of the high concentration of cupper, fat and hormons)
• Dried pallets

Variation in the menu is important for good health.

Breeding

Polypterus ornatipinnis is bred on a regular base. Bred speciments tend to have a less distint colorpattern as wildcaught specimen.

The most difficult part is to trigger courtship. In the natural habitat courtship is triggered by seasonal changes, like rainseason, resulting in a change of temperature, waterparameters, and air pressure.

In breeding farms courtship is often forced by the use of hormons. Maybe an even  more animal unfriendly method is to add 1 drop of natriumjodide (KJ) 1% solution to 100 liter water. In no case more! Mentioned is to close the lit of the aquarium very well since the fish will become very restless.

Often courtship is observed after a regular change of water. To imitate natural condition keep the fish at a dry-season like temperature of 28-30 degrees C and PH6. Simulate rainseason by a drop of temperature to 16-21 degrees C and PH7. After this add some distilled water and raise temperatue to 26-28 degrees C. If all parties are ready this should initiate mating. Other sources mention the addition of sea salt with trace elements. Courtship starts when de male breaks the water surface for several times, bending its body, showing its spread fins and slowly decend towards the female. Approaching from behind the male contacts the female by some subtile headbutts. De female lies motionless when the male stimulates the fallopian tube of the female with his analfin. With the analfin the male also catches the 300-1000 eggs, fertilizes them and release them. This process will repeat for several days. There is no parental care. After 4 days (temperature of 26 degrees C) the eggs will hatch. After 3 or 4 days the larvea start freeswimming.

In order to breed several tanks are need. One for courthip and one for breeding. Use for courthip a sandy substrate and fine leaved plants like Taxiphyllum barbieri. Hopefully the eggs are laid within this plants.

If courthip has taken place, move the plants to the other tank. No substrate is needed here. Keep temperature up to 27-18 degrees C and a PH of 6.5 and 7. After 60-9- hours the the larvae will hatch. De first 6-7 days feeding is not needed since the larvae will feed on their yolk-sac.  After this they start free-swimming and should be fed baby artemia or chopped mosquito larvae. During this phase unfortunately it is hard to prevent reduction of numbers because of fightings and cannibalism.

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Auteur

P. de Pijper

References

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

www.polypterus.info

Biology of fishes (Quentin Bone/Richard H. Moore)

Copyright photos

Ben Lee – Amiidae.com

Yu-Chia Chang

Last Updated on 26 September 2021 by John