Saddled Bichir Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Saddled Bichir is a striking, prehistoric-looking fish with an elongated, heavily scaled body, a broad head and a series of separate dorsal finlets. Its olive-grey to brown coloration is marked with darker saddle-like bands, giving the species its common name and helping it blend into shadowed river margins.

Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri belongs to an ancient lineage of ray-finned fishes that retains several unusual features. It can breathe atmospheric air using paired lung-like organs, allowing it to survive in warm, oxygen-poor waters, and its primitive-looking pectoral fins contribute to a deliberate, almost reptilian style of movement.

In nature, these bichirs are ambush predators that spend much of their time near the bottom, among submerged vegetation, roots and muddy structure. They are most active at dusk and during the night, using their excellent sense of smell to locate prey rather than relying solely on sight.

Although generally slow-moving, Saddled Bichirs are powerful opportunistic hunters. Their calm appearance can be deceptive: fish, crustaceans and other animals small enough to fit in their mouths may quickly become prey. Individuals are often secretive when young but become increasingly imposing as they mature.

Saddled Bichirs are native to tropical West and Central Africa, including parts of the Niger, Volta and Chad basin regions and adjoining river systems in countries such as Nigeria and Cameroon. They inhabit slow-moving rivers, floodplains, swamps and connected backwaters.

A mature adult needs a very large aquarium of at least 500 litres, with a footprint around 180 cm long by 60 cm wide; a considerably larger aquarium is preferable for full-grown specimens or community groups. Use a secure, tightly fitting lid because Saddled Bichirs are powerful escape artists and regularly surface to breathe. Provide a broad open bottom area with smooth sand or fine rounded gravel, along with robust driftwood, caves, rocks and hardy plants that create shaded retreats without restricting swimming space. Gentle to moderate filtration and well-oxygenated, clean water are important, while strong turbulent flow is unnecessary.

Up to approximately 75 cm (29.5 inches) in total length. Females are usually larger and heavier-bodied than males, while males tend to remain somewhat smaller.

Saddled Bichirs are carnivores and should be offered a varied diet of meaty foods, including earthworms, prawns, mussels, fish flesh and high-quality sinking carnivore pellets. Frozen foods are useful staples, while live foods can stimulate natural hunting behaviour. Feed appropriately sized portions and avoid relying on feeder fish, which can introduce disease and provide an imbalanced diet.

Suitable tankmates must be peaceful, robust and too large to swallow, such as large Synodontis catfish, mature silver dollars, larger barbs, datnoids and appropriately sized peaceful cichlids. Avoid small tetras, livebearers, dwarf cichlids, shrimp and other bite-sized fish, which are likely to be eaten. Fin-nipping species and highly aggressive tankmates should also be avoided, while very large predatory fish may compete with or injure them.

Breeding Saddled Bichirs is uncommon in home aquaria because they require very large quarters and seasonal environmental changes. Spawning may be encouraged by simulating a rainy season with slightly cooler, softer water and increased flow, followed by warmer conditions and heavy feeding. The male receives eggs from the female using his enlarged anal and caudal fins before fertilising them and scattering them among fine-leaved plants or spawning mops. Remove the adults after spawning, as eggs and fry may be eaten. The tiny fry need suitably sized live foods and excellent water quality as they develop.

Females are generally larger and broader through the abdomen. Males have a noticeably wider, thicker and more muscular anal fin, which is used during spawning; their body length is usually less than that of mature females.