Saddled bichir
Polypterus endlicheri
- Tank length
- 240 cmabout 8 ft (94 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C73–82 °F
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Adult size
- 50 cm20 in
- Lifespan
- 15–25 yrs
A heavy-bodied large bichir with a big mouth; needs a very large tank, a secure lid and robust tankmates.A heavy-bodied large bichir with a big mouth; needs a very large tank, a secure lid and robust tankmates.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Acei cichlid
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- African butterfly cichlid
Saddled bichir may eat African butterfly cichlidSaddled bichir may eat African butterfly cichlid
- African clawed frog
Saddled bichir may eat African clawed frogSaddled bichir may eat African clawed frog
- Agassiz's cory
Saddled bichir may eat Agassiz's corySaddled bichir may eat Agassiz's cory
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
Saddled bichir may eat Ajamaru rainbowfishSaddled bichir may eat Ajamaru rainbowfish
Amano shrimpSaddled bichir may eat Amano shrimpSaddled bichir may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
Saddled bichir may eat American flagfishSaddled bichir may eat American flagfish
- Angfa rainbowfish
Saddled bichir may eat Angfa rainbowfishSaddled bichir may eat Angfa rainbowfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
Saddled bichir may eat Arfak rainbowfishSaddled bichir may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailSaddled bichir may eat Assassin snailSaddled bichir may eat Assassin snail
- Banded gourami
Saddled bichir may eat Banded gouramiSaddled bichir may eat Banded gourami
- Bandit cory
Saddled bichir may eat Bandit corySaddled bichir may eat Bandit cory
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 23–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 6–16 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | West Africa: Niger, Volta and Lake Chad basins | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | advanced | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Activity | sedentary | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Swimming level | bottom | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Temperament | predatory | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Nips fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Long fins | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Territorial | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lives in groups | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum group | 1 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Diet | carnivore | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Lifespan (years) | 15–25 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Months to adult size | 36 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Safe with plants | Yes | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Minimum tank length | 240 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |