The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Lapradei Bichir Polypterus Lapradei 10cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Lapradei Bichir is a large, striking subspecies of the Nile Bichir, with a long snout, dark vertical bars and a body that often takes on green or gold tones with age. It breathes air, hunts at night and reaches an impressive size. It suits experienced keepers with a big, long tank and a taste for living fossils. Older fish often develop green or bronze tones.
- Adult Size: Around 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in aquaria; wild fish to 74 cm (29 in)
- Lifespan: 15–20 years or more
Origin
- Native to: West Africa, Senegal to Niger and Chad basins
- Habitat: Rivers, floodplains, lakes and swamps
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Prawns, earthworms, lancefish, mussel, whole shellfish, large carnivore pellets
- Feeding Habits: Feed in the evening, three to four times weekly; varied meaty foods
Tank Mates
- Best with: Other large bichirs, big Synodontis, Datnioides, large characins
- Avoid: Anything small enough to swallow; fin-nippers
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Placid with fish too big to eat
- Territoriality: Low; opportunistic rather than territorial, care identical to the Nile Bichir
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
- Challenges: Adult size, waste load, escapes, long-term space, poor eyesight at feeding
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, adaptable
- Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)
- pH: 6.0–8.0
- Hardness: 5–25 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 650 litres; 180 x 60 cm base; floor space over depth
Final Notes
Growth is fairly quick in the first years, so a juvenile will need its full-sized tank sooner than many expect. Furnish with sand, driftwood and rock caves, keep lighting subdued and fit a heavy, tight lid. Robust filtration and big water changes keep up with the waste. Males have a thicker anal fin; captive spawning is unrecorded. A long-lived, big-character fish that rewards the space you give it.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.