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Common Name: Senegal birchir
Latin Name: Polypterus senegalus
Origin: Africa
Temperature: 77-84°F (25-29°C)
Ease Of Keeping: Easy
Aggressiveness: Not very aggressive to fish it cannot swallow
Lighting: Subdued
Adult Size: 12″ (30cm) in the aquarium, 16″ (40cm) in the wild
Minimum Tank Size: 50 Gallons breeder
Feeding: Varies by individual, but pellets, worms, frozen food
Anecdotes: This ancient (Triassic Period) fish is unique in that it has lobed fins, extruding nostrils, and simple lungs. They have a very intelligent look about them, prehaps because of the way they study their surroundings. Although they are nocturnal, most will come out in the evening if enough hiding places are avalible to make it feel secure. They will slither out of the smallest of cracks in the hood, and can survive 8-10 hours out of water. Keep your tank well covered! They must also have 3 inches of air between the hood and the water level for them to breathe. They have become partially dependent on breathing oxygen and will die if not allowed to do so.
