496 views
Senegal Birchir 10cm Pairs available also
$200
Polypterus senegalus, the Senegal bichir, gray bichir or Cuvier's bichir, and sometimes called the "dinosaur eel" (a misnomer, as the creature is neither an eel nor a dinosaur), "dinosaur bichir", or "dragon fish" is in the pet trade due to its lungfish-like appearance, which was described as more primitive and prehistoric than other modern fishes. It is a prototypical species of fish in the genus Polypterus, meaning most of its features are held across the genus. It is commonly kept in captivity by hobbyists. They are native from Africa where they are the most widespread species of the genus.
Appearance
Senegal bichir
Protruding nostrils of P. senegalus.
Polypterus senegalus is an elongated fish, usually grey or beige in color, though it sometimes has shades of white, pink or blue on some of its rhomboid-shaped, multilayer scales. Most of the fish is covered in very subtle patterns with occasional darker blotches or dots. At the nose, the face is smooth and rounded, with larger scales than the rest of the fish. External nostrils protrude from the front. Eyes are on each side of the head, and they are usually pale yellow with a black pupil. P. senegalus has poor eyesight, and relies on sense of smell when hunting prey.[6] The mouth is large and appears to grin when closed. The dentary, premaxilla, and maxilla each carry one row of large, slightly recurved teeth.[4] There are multiple rows of smaller teeth, found between the rows of large teeth, on the prearticular and coronoids in the lower jaw and on the bones forming the roof of the mouth.
The body is long and vaguely cylindrical; a serrated dorsal fin runs along most of the body until it meets the caudal fin, which is pointed and flat. There are 8-11 dorsal spines and 14-17 anal spines.[8] The pectoral fins attach just behind and below the gill openings, and are the primary means of locomotion, providing a slow, graceful appearance. P. senegalus is smaller than other bichirs, reaching about 35.5 cm (14 in). This fish exhibits sexual dimorphism, where the males are generally smaller than the females and have a thicker anal fin.
The fish has a pair of primitive lungs instead of a swim bladder, allowing it to periodically gulp air from the surface of the water. In the aquarium, bichirs can be observed dashing to the surface for this purpose. Juvenile P. senegalus have external gills that disappear as they age.
This bichir's skin serves as a particularly effective armor, and has been studied as a model for personal armor for better combinations of protection and mobility.
Appearance
Senegal bichir
Protruding nostrils of P. senegalus.
Polypterus senegalus is an elongated fish, usually grey or beige in color, though it sometimes has shades of white, pink or blue on some of its rhomboid-shaped, multilayer scales. Most of the fish is covered in very subtle patterns with occasional darker blotches or dots. At the nose, the face is smooth and rounded, with larger scales than the rest of the fish. External nostrils protrude from the front. Eyes are on each side of the head, and they are usually pale yellow with a black pupil. P. senegalus has poor eyesight, and relies on sense of smell when hunting prey.[6] The mouth is large and appears to grin when closed. The dentary, premaxilla, and maxilla each carry one row of large, slightly recurved teeth.[4] There are multiple rows of smaller teeth, found between the rows of large teeth, on the prearticular and coronoids in the lower jaw and on the bones forming the roof of the mouth.
The body is long and vaguely cylindrical; a serrated dorsal fin runs along most of the body until it meets the caudal fin, which is pointed and flat. There are 8-11 dorsal spines and 14-17 anal spines.[8] The pectoral fins attach just behind and below the gill openings, and are the primary means of locomotion, providing a slow, graceful appearance. P. senegalus is smaller than other bichirs, reaching about 35.5 cm (14 in). This fish exhibits sexual dimorphism, where the males are generally smaller than the females and have a thicker anal fin.
The fish has a pair of primitive lungs instead of a swim bladder, allowing it to periodically gulp air from the surface of the water. In the aquarium, bichirs can be observed dashing to the surface for this purpose. Juvenile P. senegalus have external gills that disappear as they age.
This bichir's skin serves as a particularly effective armor, and has been studied as a model for personal armor for better combinations of protection and mobility.
- Date Listed:14/04/2024
- Last Edited:14/04/2024
- The state where this ad will be found:NSW
- Fish Species:Other
- Number of fish:>20
- Multi Colour Oranda 5cm
- Fancy Goldfish
Multi Colour Orandas 5cm Ready for new homes, good wen growth and cute and healthy. Also available red cap orandas 5cm $25 - Check other ads Pickup or delivery available.$25Ocean Shores, NSW•5d - Many fish for sale, guppies cichlids, rainbows, blue snailsNeon red tuxedo guppies $5 Neolamprologus Multifasciatus (She’ll Dwellers the worlds smallest Cichlid) $20 Ps. saulosi, Males go Blue, Females stay yellow $15 Orange Blotch Marbled Peacocks $15 Electric Yellows $15 Skull Creek Rainbows $10 Goyder River Rainbows $20 Blue Mystery Snails (rare) $20 Red Ramshorn Snails $2 Yellow mystery snails $5 Julii Corys $15 Gold Panchax $15 Neon Blue Acaras $15 platinum Angels $15 Lwanda Peacocks $15 neon Tetras $3 Silver tip tetras $3 Ember tetras $3 Dwarf bl$3Ocean Shores, NSW•5d
- Neon Blue AcaraAndinoacara Pulcher, Neon Blue variety. Medium sized relatively peaceful South American Cichlid. Showing great colours. Adult male available also about 12cm $50 has successfully bred many time, is still young but unfortunately lost his mate, so can go to a new home. Pickup Ocean Shores, NSW. Courier Available to VIC, QLD, and NSW.$15Ocean Shores, NSW•5d
You don't have any recently viewed items
Any items you have viewed recently will be displayed here
•••• ••• 5365