{"product_id":"saddled-endlicheri-bichir-polypterus-endlicheri-endlicheri-10cm","title":"Saddled Endlicheri Bichir Polypterus Endlicheri Endlicheri 10cm","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Around 45–60 cm (18–24 in) in aquaria; up to 75 cm (30 in) wild\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/em\u003e 10–15 years, often longer\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 Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Mali and Sudan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow rivers, floodplains and marshes with soft beds\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, mussel, earthworms, whitebait, sinking carnivore pellets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFeeding Habits:\u003c\/em\u003e Feed juveniles daily, adults two or three times weekly; feeds after dark\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 Arowana, Synodontis, datnoids, knifefish, large peaceful cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/em\u003e Small fish, fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids\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 but predatory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTerritoriality:\u003c\/em\u003e Low; tolerates other bichirs if well fed and given space\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 Large adult size, escape artist, needs meaty foods and floor space\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, soft to moderately hard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 22–27°C (72–81°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 5–20 dGH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eFlow:\u003c\/em\u003e Slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/em\u003e Minimum 750 litres for adults; juveniles grow on in less\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow-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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SimsTF","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64680677212537,"sku":"STF-BICHIR-ENDLICHERI","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1026\/3124\/4153\/files\/STF-BICHIR-ENDLICHERI.png?v=1790097099","url":"https:\/\/birchwoodaquatics.myshopify.com\/products\/saddled-endlicheri-bichir-polypterus-endlicheri-endlicheri-10cm","provider":"Birchwood Aquatic Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}