Species

Weeksi bichir

Polypterus weeksii

advancedpredatorybottom swimmerPolypteridae
Add to my tank
Weeksi bichir
Tank length
200 cmabout 7 ft (79 in)
Start with
1
Temperature
25–28 °C77–82 °F
pH
6–7.5
Adult size
40 cm16 in
Lifespan
15–25 yrs

A large banded bichir that needs a big footprint, a tight lid and large, robust tankmates.A large banded bichir that needs a big footprint, a tight lid and large, robust tankmates.

Tank sizes

Good tankmates

Avoid with

Data used by the planner
Temperature25–28AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
pH6–7.5AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
Hardness (dGH)5–20AqAdvisor (aqadvisor.com), retrieved 2026-10-04 · medium confidence
OriginCongo basincurated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Beginner friendlyNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Care leveladvancedcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Activitysedentarycurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Swimming levelbottomcurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Temperamentpredatorycurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Nips finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Long finsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
TerritorialNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lives in groupsNocurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum group1curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Dietcarnivorecurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Lifespan (years)15–25curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Months to adult size36curated-v0 (needs expert review) · low confidence
Safe with plantsYescurated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence
Minimum tank length200curated-v0 (needs expert review) · medium confidence