{"product_id":"lapradei-bichir-polypterus-lapradei-10cm","title":"Lapradei Bichir Polypterus Lapradei 10cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in aquaria; wild fish to 74 cm (29 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 15–20 years or more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eNative to:\u003c\/em\u003e West Africa, Senegal to Niger and Chad basins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Rivers, floodplains, lakes and swamps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDiet:\u003c\/em\u003e Carnivorous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003ePreferred Foods:\u003c\/em\u003e Prawns, earthworms, lancefish, mussel, whole shellfish, large carnivore pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed in the evening, three to four times weekly; varied meaty foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBest with:\u003c\/em\u003e Other large bichirs, big Synodontis, Datnioides, large characins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Anything small enough to swallow; fin-nippers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/em\u003e Placid with fish too big to eat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Low; opportunistic rather than territorial, care identical to the Nile Bichir\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/em\u003e Intermediate to advanced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Adult size, waste load, escapes, long-term space, poor eyesight at feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/em\u003e Freshwater, adaptable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–28°C (72–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.0–8.0\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–25 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 650 litres; 180 x 60 cm base; floor space over depth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowth 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64946706579833,"sku":"STF-BICHIR-LAPRADEI","price":66.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/Lapradei-Bichir-Polypterus-Lapradei.png?v=1792492751","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/lapradei-bichir-polypterus-lapradei-10cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}