One of a few species of giant freshwater puffers from Africa, the Fahaka or Lined Puffer is found in freshwater rivers and lakes throughout East and Central Africa. In the wild, they use their powerful beak to feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and even other fish. In the aquarium, they feed readily on most meaty foods and will readily take bites out of their tankmates as well. An intelligent and fascinating fish for an appropriately large aquarium, Fahaka Puffers are best kept in a species tank on their own.
The Senegal, or Common Bichir is the most widespread species of Polypterus in Africa, inhabiting shallow waters across a huge geographic area. This species is also the most common in the aquarium hobby and has been commercially bred in Asia for years. Like all so-called ‘platinum’ morphs, it is leucistic, exhibiting only white pigment but with black eyes. This extremely rare and prized fish is a truly impressive showpiece specimen for the true collector.
The Marbled Bichir, Polypterus palmas polli, is found in shallow, slow moving waters in Central and parts of Western Africa. It is a smaller growing species, only reaching 12-13″ as adults and is less predatory than some of their larger-mouthed relatives. This subspecies is one of several so-called “upper jaw” group of Polypterus, so named because their upper lip extends over the lower jaw. In the aquarium, they are hardy and undemanding like most bichir species, but should be kept with a tight-fitting and possibly weighted lid as they will attempt to jump if spooked or at night.
The Ornate Bichir is a distinctively marked, large growing species found throughout parts of the Congo River Basin and surrounding areas in Central and East Africa. This species is exported from the Congo but is also commercially bred in Asia for the aquarium trade. The largest of the “upper jaw” group of bichirs, they can reach an impressive 24″ in size as adults in the wild. In the aquarium, they have been popular for many years due to their eel-like body shape, predatory nature, and unique appearance. Like all bichirs, they are hardy fish, requiring a large tank due to their adult size but are otherwise undemanding.
The Weeksi or Mottled Bichir is found in Central Africa, where it inhabits shallow waters in areas of low to moderate current and plenty of cover. This species is one of several so-called “upper jaw” group of Polypterus, named because their upper lip protrudes over the lower jaw. In the aquarium, they are hardy and undemanding like most bichir species, but should be kept with a tight-fitting and possibly weighted lid as they will attempt to jump if spooked or at night.
A rarely imported, medium-sized Bichir found in parts of the Congo River Basin in Central Africa, the Mokele Mbembe Bichir is one of the more recently described members of the genus (it had been previously misidentified as P. retropinnis). In the wild, it tends to inhabit acidic, blackwater creeks and rivers but is hardy and will adapt to a wide range of conditions in the aquarium. A member of the so-called “upper jaw” group of Bichirs due to the fact that their upper lip protrudes past the lower, like all Polypterus they require a tightly-covered aquarium as they will jump if given the chance.
The Senegal, or Common Bichir is the most widespread species of Polypterus in Africa, inhabiting shallow waters across a huge geographic area. This species is also the most common in the aquarium hobby and has been commercially bred in Asia for years. In the aquarium, they have been popular for many years due to their eel-like body shape, predatory nature, and unique appearance. A hardy fish, the Senegal Bichir or Dinosaur Eel as they are sometimes known require a large tank due to their adult size but are otherwise undemanding.
The Lapradei Bichir is a widespread species, found in various slow-moving shallow water habitats in much of lowland tropical West Africa. A large growing and robust species, this Bichir is capable of reaching sizes of over 30″ in the wild. Polypterus lapradei is one of several so-called “lower jaw” group of Polypterus, so named for their distinctive heavy lower jaw that protrude over the upper lip. In the aquarium, they are hardy and undemanding like most bichir species, but should be kept with a tight-fitting and possibly weighted lid as they will attempt to jump if spooked or at night.
The Senegal, or Common Bichir (also known as Dinosaur Eel) is the most widespread species of Polypterus in Africa, inhabiting shallow waters across a huge geographic area. This species is also the most common in the aquarium hobby and has been commercially bred in Asia for years. The albino longfin variant has displays impressive long flowing fins and is a prized showpiece specimen in the aquarium.
Living up to its name, the Goliath Tigerfish is a monstrous and fierce predator originating in the fast flowing waters of the Congo River basin in Central Africa. A strict carnivore, the Goliath Tigerfish sports a mouthful of prominent, large teeth which it uses to grab hold of prey. They are aggressive towards tankmates and with an adult size of well over 48″ should only be kept by experienced hobbyists with an enormous aquarium or ideally an indoor pond. African Tigerfish are sensitive to water quality and require clean, well-oxygenated water with a moderate to strong current.
One of the rarest species of lungfish in the aquarium hobby, the African Gilled Lungfish originates in the freshwater streams and wetlands of East Africa. This species is the smallest of all the lungfish, growing to only 18-20″ in length, and is distinguished by the three external gills which it keeps into adulthood. These lungfish are extremely active and tolerant of a wide variety of water parameters. Like most of the African species in the genus Protopterus, they have powerful jaws and have a tendency to take bites out of tankmates – so they are best kept singly or with smaller, fast moving species like Congo Tetras or peaceful species of barbs. Although juvenile fish are primarily gray in color, rare photographs of adult specimens indicate they will develop a marbled pattern with heavy black spotting.These lungfish are enthusiastic feeders, and quickly learn to “beg” for food at the front of the tank – most will even hand feed.
The specimens we offer have been carefully quarantined for several weeks and are actively feeding on a variety of frozen and prepared foods, including pellets.
This uncommon and beautifully marked knifefish is found in slow moving streams and lakes throughout much of Central and West Africa. It is fairly bold for a knifefish and can be aggressive toward some tankmates, so is best suited to an aquarium with similarly-sized fish. They will appreciate some cover in the form of driftwood or aquatic plants (live or artificial).
This beautiful and rarely seen African characin (tetra) is found in parts of the Congo River drainage in Central Africa, usually in relatively soft, acidic waters. Best kept in a school, they are fairly peaceful and hardy fish and make undemanding aquarium inhabitants. A great fish for anyone looking to add something unique to their aquarium or for an African biotope aquarium.
One of the more unique species of knifefish, the Aba Aba is found throughout much of Africa, where it inhabits shallow, slow moving bodies of water. While juvenile fish are often found in small groups, adults become solitary large predators which like most knifefish use a specialized organ to detect the weak electrical currents generated by other fish. In the aquarium, they tend to be extremely aggressive, often attacking tankmates at night. This combined with their huge adult size makes them best suited for a species tank.
A predatory pike-like characin found throughout much of tropical Africa, H. odoe inhabits shallow rivers and lakes where it primarily feeds on smaller fish. A fast-moving predator, these fish prefer clean, well-oxygenated water and will do best with some cover in the form of floating plants or vegetation. Be sure to keep their aquariums tightly covered as they are likely to jump, especially if spooked.
One of the largest and most fearsome predatory fish species found in Africa’s freshwater rivers and lakes, the African Tigerfish is a challenging fish to keep both due to its huge adult size and somewhat delicate temperament. They require clean, well-oxygenated water and will do best with moderate to high water flow. Recommended only for experienced fishkeepers with the largest home aquariums.
One of the smallest and most peaceful of all freshwater puffers, the Spotted Congo or Schoutedeni Puffer is found in stretches of the middle Congo River in Central Africa. Once relatively common in the trade, unrest in its native habitat has made it rare, sought after, and difficult to find. In the wild, they mainly inhabit clear water areas with moderate to low current and will do best in an aquarium with similar conditions. Peaceful, hardy, and active, they will get along with most tankmates as long as they aren’t small enough to be considered a meal.
The Nile Bichir, Polypterus bichir bichir, is found in shallow, slow moving waters in Egypt, Chad, Ghana, and possibly Cameroon. Although this species was the first of the Bichirs to be described scientifically, it remains quite rare in the hobby and trade due to the remote areas it inhabits. This subspecies is one of several so-called “lower jaw” group of Polypterus, so named for their distinctive heavy lower jaw that protrude over the upper lip. In the aquarium, they are hardy and undemanding like most bichir species, but should be kept with a tight-fitting and possibly weighted lid as they will attempt to jump if spooked or at night.
The ‘Guinea’ Endlicheri Bichir is one of several distinctive geographical variants of the widespread Polypterus endlicheri which is found in various slow-moving shallow water habitats ins Guinea and possibly surrounding countries in West Africa. Like all Endlicheri or Saddled Bichir variants, it is a large growing species, reaching sizes of over 30″ in the wild and the form from Guinea is known as one of the largest, and most heavy bodied of the geographical variants and subspecies. Polypterus endlicheri is one of several so-called “lower jaw” group of Polypterus, so named for their distinctive heavy lower jaw that protrude over the upper lip. In the aquarium, they are hardy and undemanding like most bichir species, but should be kept with a tight-fitting and possibly weighted lid as they will attempt to jump if spooked or at night.
This rare relative of the more commonly seen Green and Red Scat is found only along the East Coast of Central Africa and Madagascar, where it is found in environments ranging from pure fresh to almost full strength marine waters. Unlike other species of Scatophagus, the Tiger Scat appears to thrive in pure freshwater environments even as adult fish, making them suitable for most freshwater aquariums. They will appreciate relatively hard water and the addition of some salt but are fairly adaptable. They are a schooling fish, and will do best in a group (although they will school with other similarly sized Scat species). A true rarity for collectors and serious hobbyists, these fish are only rarely imported and availability is extremely seasonal.
The rarest of the three known subspecies of Polypterus palmas, the Marbled Bichir (P. palmas palmas) is found throughout parts of Central and West Africa but its true range remains unknown due to many years of misidentification and confusion surrounding its close relatives. It can be distinguished from the similar looking P. palmas polli by an overall lighter pattern, spotted pectoral fins, and 7-9 dorsal fin rays. In the aquarium, they are hardy and undemanding, and with a maximum size of around 14″ they are more manageable as adults than some of their larger relatives. Like all bichir specie they should be kept with a tight-fitting and possibly weighted lid as they will attempt to jump if spooked or at night.
A unique true freshwater puffer found throughout much of Central Africa’s Congo River Basin, the Miurus or Congo Puffer is a uniquely adapted ambush predator best suited to a species-only aquarium. In the wild, they tend to inhabit fast-moving stretches of water with sandy substrate, where they bury themselves with only their upward-facing eyes and mouth visible. They wait in this position for potential prey items to swim overhead, and then dart upwards, using their sharp beak to tear into their prey (which can include much larger fish). In the aquarium, they will display this same behavior which is why tankmates, even larger fish, are not recommended. A relatively hardy fish, they do best in clean, neutral or slightly alkaline well-oxygenated water with some current. Most Congo Puffers are a tan or beige, but a rarer reddish-orange variant also exists and is sometimes available in the trade.
