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Saddled Bichir
Polypterus endlicheri
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Polypteriformes›Polypteridae
📍 Lake Chad drainage & Upper Nile, Africa
One of the largest bichirs in the hobby with bold dark saddle patches across an orange-brown body. A massive, robust fish that can live 20+ years. Requires a very large tank with heavy filtration and a tight-fitting lid.
Care Guide
Diet
Saddled Bichirs are strict carnivores requiring a protein-rich diet of frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and small fish pieces, supplemented with high-quality carnivore pellets. Feed juveniles daily and adults 4-5 times per week, offering portions they can consume in a few minutes. Live foods like feeder fish and insects are readily accepted and provide enrichment.
Behavior
This is a nocturnal, bottom-dwelling predator that spends much of the day hidden in caves or dense vegetation, becoming more active at dusk. Saddled Bichirs are solitary and territorial; they will consume any fish small enough to fit in their mouth and may be aggressive toward other large fish. They are capable of breathing air and will surface periodically, so a tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent escape.
Breeding
Breeding Saddled Bichirs in captivity is extremely rare and poorly documented. They require very large, heavily planted tanks with specific water conditions and seasonal temperature fluctuations to trigger spawning. Most captive specimens are wild-caught, and successful breeding by hobbyists is virtually unreported.
Tank Mates
Similar size and nocturnal behavior; both are armored and can coexist if tank is large enough with adequate hiding spaces
Bottom-dweller with similar water requirements; less likely to be predated due to armor and nocturnal habits
Similar size and habitat preference, but both are predatory; only suitable in very large tanks with ample space
Smaller bichir species; may be consumed by Saddled Bichir despite being congeners; only house together if tank is exceptionally large
Similar size and predatory nature; territorial aggression likely unless tank exceeds 200+ gallons with multiple territories
Comparable size and behavior; may compete aggressively for food and territory in smaller setups
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, flashing against objects, labored breathing, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use aquarium salt (1 tsp per gallon) or commercial ich treatment; maintain for 10-14 days
Bacterial Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 50% water change immediately, improve water quality with increased filtration, use antibiotic treatment if severe; isolate if possible
Parasitic Infections (Flukes, Worms)
Excessive mucus coating, flashing, weight loss, visible parasites, difficulty breathing
Use anti-parasitic medication (praziquantel-based treatments), perform frequent water changes, quarantine affected fish; treat for 7-10 days
Poor Water Quality Stress
Gasping at surface, reduced activity, loss of appetite, color fading, susceptibility to secondary infections
Perform immediate 50% water change, test water parameters, increase aeration and filtration, establish regular maintenance schedule (25% weekly changes minimum)
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- diet
- carnivore
- maxSize
- 30 inches
- minTankSize
- 150 gallons
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C