West African bichir
Polypterus retropinnis
- Tank length
- 120 cmabout 4 ft (47 in)
- Start with
- 1
- Temperature
- 25–28 °C77–82 °F
- pH
- 6–7.5
- Adult size
- 30 cm12 in
- Lifespan
- 15–25 yrs
A small, shy bichir that appreciates dense cover and dim light; small fish are prey.A small, shy bichir that appreciates dense cover and dim light; small fish are prey.
Tank sizes
Good tankmates
Avoid with
- Acei cichlid
No shared pH rangeNo shared pH range
- African butterfly cichlid
West African bichir may eat African butterfly cichlidWest African bichir may eat African butterfly cichlid
- African clawed frog
No shared temperature rangeNo shared temperature range
- Agassiz's cory
West African bichir may eat Agassiz's coryWest African bichir may eat Agassiz's cory
- Ajamaru rainbowfish
West African bichir may eat Ajamaru rainbowfishWest African bichir may eat Ajamaru rainbowfish
Amano shrimpWest African bichir may eat Amano shrimpWest African bichir may eat Amano shrimp
- American flagfish
West African bichir may eat American flagfishWest African bichir may eat American flagfish
- Angfa rainbowfish
West African bichir may eat Angfa rainbowfishWest African bichir may eat Angfa rainbowfish
- Arfak rainbowfish
West African bichir may eat Arfak rainbowfishWest African bichir may eat Arfak rainbowfish
Assassin snailWest African bichir may eat Assassin snailWest African bichir may eat Assassin snail
- Banded gourami
West African bichir may eat Banded gouramiWest African bichir may eat Banded gourami
- Bandit cory
West African bichir may eat Bandit coryWest African bichir may eat Bandit cory
Data used by the planner
| Temperature | 25–28 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 6–7.5 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Hardness (dGH) | 5–20 | AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence |
| Origin | Lower Guinea, Cameroon to Congo | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence |
| Beginner friendly | No | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |
| Care level | moderate | 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 | 120 | curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence |