Barred Bichir

Overview

Barred Bichir (Polypterus delhezi) is a bottom-to-middle swimmer for aquariums where the layout leaves enough open substrate area and the water stays stable.

Use these values as planning checks, then make sure the aquarium still has room for behavior, group needs, and calm community fish.

Care requirements

With a Intermediate – Advanced care level, Barred Bichir is best for aquarists who can keep water quality steady and plan compatibility before adding the fish.

Because it uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, leave enough open substrate area instead of crowding that part of the aquarium.

With a lifespan of up to 15 years, this is a fish to plan for long term rather than an impulse addition.

Aquarium size and space needs

An aquarium of 300 L or larger can be a reasonable starting point, but it should not be read as permission to overstock.

At up to 35 cm, Barred Bichir stays small, but it still needs room to move, feed, and avoid constant competition.

Uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.

Water parameters

The temperature range for this fish is 24 to 30 °C, which fits many tropical freshwater aquariums. Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.

The pH range for this fish is 6 to 8. That points to a broad freshwater range, but stability is more important than sudden corrections.

The GH range for this fish is 5 to 25 dGH. That gives some flexibility, but sudden changes are usually more stressful than a stable value that is slightly imperfect.

Temperament and compatibility

As a peaceful bottom-to-middle swimmer, Barred Bichir is best kept with calm species that will not harass it or dominate the feeding area.

Because this fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, compatibility is easier when other fish are not all competing for the same swimming space.

Swimming zone and behavior

This fish uses the lower to middle part of the aquarium, so leave enough open substrate area for movement and feeding.

Feeding

Use foods that suit a meatier diet and avoid combining it with fish small enough to be treated as food.

Because it feeds near the bottom, make sure food reaches the substrate and is not completely taken by faster fish in the open water.

Natural habitat and origin

This profile currently lists the origin as Democratic Republic of the Congo. Treat this as a broad regional note rather than a complete habitat description.

Before adding this fish

Use this checklist before treating the profile as a match for an existing aquarium.

• Plan for an aquarium of 300 L or larger.
• Make sure the bottom area has enough open substrate for a group.
• Choose other fish with overlapping temperature needs.
• Keep pH stable within the listed range instead of making sudden corrections.
• Avoid aggressive or highly competitive fish.
• Offer a varied diet that matches this species.