Barred bichir

The barred bichir is an elongated, primitive ray-finned fish (family Polypteridae) from the Congo River basin in Africa. It has an armored, eel-like body covered in tough ganoid scales, a series of small finlets along the back, and a striking pattern of dark vertical bars over a grayish-green ground. It possesses a modified lung and can gulp air at the surface. It is a slow, deliberate nocturnal predator that is generally peaceful toward fish too large to swallow but will eat smaller tankmates. A spacious aquarium with a soft substrate, hiding places, and a very secure lid is essential, as bichirs readily escape. It is a carnivore that feeds on worms, shrimp, and pieces of fish and other meaty foods, locating prey largely by smell. It tolerates a range of conditions and is quite hardy, making it a rewarding choice for keepers of larger predatory fish.