Cross River Bichir Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Cross River Bichir is an ancient-looking freshwater predator with a long, muscular body, rows of bony dorsal finlets and a broad, flattened head. Its olive-brown to dark grey coloration provides effective camouflage among leaf litter, roots and shadowed river habitats, while the irregular dorsal finlets give it a distinctly prehistoric appearance.

Polypterus teugelsi is an active but generally deliberate fish, spending much of its time close to the bottom or resting among cover before making a sudden movement to investigate prey. It is primarily nocturnal, although aquarium specimens often become more visible once they associate their keeper with feeding.

Like other bichirs, this species has primitive lungs in addition to functional gills and must be able to reach the water surface to breathe atmospheric air. Its elongated body, powerful pectoral fins and flexible movement are well suited to navigating shallow, vegetation-filled waters.

The Cross River Bichir is one of the more geographically restricted members of the Polypterus genus. Its specialised appearance reflects the ancient lineage of bichirs, a group often described as living representatives of an early branch of ray-finned fish evolution.

The Cross River Bichir is endemic to the Cross River basin of western Cameroon in Central Africa. It inhabits tropical freshwater environments associated with the forested Cross River region.

Plan on at least 450 litres for one adult, with a footprint of approximately 150 x 60 cm or larger; floor area is more important than excessive height. Use a secure, tightly fitting lid because bichirs are powerful escape artists, while leaving a small air gap above the water so the fish can gulp atmospheric air. Provide smooth sand or fine rounded gravel, shaded retreats made from driftwood, rocks and sturdy plants, and open areas for bottom movement. Gentle to moderate filtration, good oxygenation and stable, clean freshwater are important, but avoid excessively strong currents.

Up to about 40 cm (15.7 inches) in adult length. Females are often heavier-bodied and may grow slightly larger than males.

Cross River Bichirs are carnivores and do best on a varied diet of meaty foods. Offer earthworms, prawns, mussel, fish pieces, bloodworm and other appropriately sized frozen or live foods, with quality sinking carnivore pellets accepted by many specimens once settled. Feed after the aquarium lights dim, as this reflects their mainly nocturnal feeding pattern, and remove uneaten food promptly.

Choose peaceful, robust tankmates that are too large to fit in the bichir’s mouth, such as large Congo tetras, suitably sized barbs, peaceful medium-to-large cichlids and other similarly sized African oddball fish. They can sometimes be kept with other bichirs when the aquarium is spacious and well structured, although individual temperaments vary. Avoid small tetras, livebearer fry, shrimp, small catfish and other bite-sized fish, as they are likely to be viewed as prey. Highly aggressive cichlids and fin-nipping species are also poor companions.

Cross River Bichirs are egg scatterers and are rarely bred in home aquariums. Spawning is usually encouraged by simulating seasonal changes with large, well-conditioned adults, excellent water quality and a slightly cooler, heavier-water-change period followed by warmer conditions. Provide dense fine-leaved plants or spawning mops, as the male collects fertilised eggs with his broad anal and caudal fins before scattering them. Remove the adults after spawning because both eggs and fry may be eaten; the larvae hatch with external gills and require very small live foods.

Males usually have a noticeably broader, thicker anal fin, which is used to collect eggs during spawning. Females generally have a fuller abdomen and tend to be slightly larger and more robust than males.