Saddled Endlicheri Bichir Polypterus Endlicheri Endlicheri 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 Saddled Bichir is a prehistoric-looking, air-breathing fish with a long muscular body, a row of dorsal finlets, broad flattened head and bold dark saddles over a tan background. It ranges across West and Central Africa in rivers and marshes. One of the heaviest-built bichirs, it suits experienced keepers with large predator tanks.
- Adult Size: Around 45–60 cm (18–24 in) in aquaria; up to 75 cm (30 in) wild
- Lifespan: 10–15 years, often longer
Origin
- Native to: Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Mali and Sudan
- Habitat: Slow rivers, floodplains and marshes with soft beds
Feeding
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Preferred Foods: Prawns, lancefish, mussel, earthworms, whitebait, sinking carnivore pellets
- Feeding Habits: Feed juveniles daily, adults two or three times weekly; feeds after dark
Tank Mates
- Best with: Arowana, Synodontis, datnoids, knifefish, large peaceful cichlids
- Avoid: Small fish, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful but predatory
- Territoriality: Low; tolerates other bichirs if well fed and given space
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Large adult size, escape artist, needs meaty foods and floor space
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft to moderately hard
- Temperature: 22–27°C (72–81°F)
- pH: 6.0–8.0
- Hardness: 5–20 dGH
- Flow: Slow
- Tank Size: Minimum 750 litres for adults; juveniles grow on in less
Final Notes
Slow-growing compared to Cichla, but a decades-long commitment that eventually needs a wide, long tank with plenty of floor space. A tight-fitting lid is essential; bichirs climb out with ease, and they must reach the surface to gulp air. Nocturnal with poor eyesight, they hunt by smell, so target-feed after lights out. Males have a thicker, broader anal fin. Use sand, driftwood and dim light for a calm, fascinating living fossil.
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.