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Bony fish

Ornate Bichir

Polypterus ornatipinnis

Also known as: Ornate Bichir Eel Catfish, Reedfish, Ropefish, Sailfin

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2026
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Adult
@laurenvallen · In tank - UK, Unknown Region · January 20151 / 1
01

Overview

Found singly, in calm waters, of drainage ditches, lakes, rivers and swamps.
They feed nocturnally on fish, insect larvae and worms.
Widespread Africa

Birchirs possess a pair of lungs and are air breathing can often be found walking along the bottoms using their Pectoral fins and tail.
Very popular in the aquarium trade.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
specklesstripes
Behaviour
breathes airnocturnalsolitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

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LIVES IN

Found singly, in calm waters, of drainage ditches, lakes, rivers and swamps.

04

Adult photos 1

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classCladistii
    4. orderPolypteriformes
    5. familyPolypteridae
    6. genusPolypterus
    7. speciesPolypterus ornatipinnis Boulenger, 1902

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    06

    More in the family

    Bichirs (Polypteridae)

    Barred Bichir

    Polypterus delhezi

    1 photo

    Gray Bichir

    Polypterus senegalus

    1 photo

    Saddled Bichir

    Polypterus endlicherii

    2 photos

    Teugelsi Bichir

    Polypterus teugelsi

    1 photo