{"product_id":"long-fin-senegal-bichir-polypterus-senegalensis-senegalus-10cm","title":"Long Fin Senegal Bichir Polypterus Senegalensis Senegalus 10cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Long Fin Senegal Bichir is a captive-bred form of the Senegal Bichir with elongated, flowing dorsal finlets, pectorals and tail on a grey-olive body. It is the classic hardy, air-breathing, snake-like bichir from the swamps and slow rivers of tropical Africa. It suits keepers wanting an unusual, long-lived centrepiece for a calm predator community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 30–35 cm (12–14 in) in aquaria; wild fish to 50 cm (20 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 15–20 years, sometimes over 30\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 Widespread across tropical Africa, Senegal to the Nile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Shallow, slow swamps, marshes and freshwater lagoons\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, lancefish, earthworms, bloodworm, mussel, sinking carnivore pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed after lights out, four to five times weekly; remove leftovers\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 bichirs, Synodontis, larger Ctenopoma, medium to large characins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Anything small enough to swallow; fin-nippers that target the long fins\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 Peaceful with fish it cannot eat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Low; several can share a floor with hiding places\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\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eChallenges:\u003c\/em\u003e Escape artist, needs a long footprint, poor eyesight so may miss food\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 24–28°C (75–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003epH:\u003c\/em\u003e 6.2–7.8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHardness:\u003c\/em\u003e 5–20 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 450 litres; floor space matters more than depth; 150 x 60 cm base\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowth is steady and the fish will live for decades, so plan a long tank with a sand base, driftwood hides and dim lighting. A tight-fitting lid is essential: bichirs surface to gulp air and are expert escape artists. Keep tank mates calm so the trailing fins stay intact. Males develop a thicker anal fin, and home breeding is very rarely achieved. A tough, personable fish that quickly learns feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64946707235193,"sku":"STF-BICHIR-SENEGALUS-LF","price":66.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/Long-Fin-Senegal-Bichir-Polypterus-Senegalensis-Senegalus.png?v=1792492754","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk\/products\/long-fin-senegal-bichir-polypterus-senegalensis-senegalus-10cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}