BICHIR: Polypterus – species biology, habitat and distribution

By Heiko Bleher

The polypteriform fishes comprise a single order and family and constitute the most primitive group of ray-finned fishes share a common ancestry with the lungfishes (Dipnoi). There are 2 genera, the monotypic Erpetoichthys Smith 1866, limited to West Africa and Polypterus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire1802 with 13 species found mainly in West and Central Africa, only two species, Polypterus bichir and endlicheri are found in East Africa (mainly Nile basin). Polypterus ornatipinnis mainly a Congo basin species can also be found Rukwa system and Malagarassi drainage as well as Lake Tanganyika, but there is no record or Polypterus from Lake Victoria or Malawi…

This and ALL the articles about aquatic research and fish/plant collecting are included in the ADVANCED Membership at €7,99/month

Read article

Description

ADVANCED Membership gives you full access to the BAP Database:

  • All BIOTOPES IN NATURE with GPS locations and detailed description of the original environment, fishes and plants collected in this precise location, other aquatic inhabitants, water parameters, substrate, data on ecology
  • All BIOTOPE AQUARIUM MODELS, best possible replication of the BIOTOPE In NATURE (lake, creek, river), correct water type and chemical parameters, correct biological community, correct décor material
  • FISHES, list of alternative fish species to each BIN/BAM
  • PLANTS, list of alternative fish species to each BIN/BAM
  • ARTICLES about aquatic exploration by the best authors with hundreds of photos
*Note for USA members: Full price is 8.80US$/month. The Membership is renewed automatically every month. It can be cancelled at any time from “My Profile/My Membership” before the date of renewal.

You may also like…