polypterus polli

The Marbled Bichir, Polypterus polli, is found in shallow, slow moving waters in Central Africa. Once thought to be a subspecies of P. palmas, it is now considered to be a distinct species. It is a smaller growing Bichir, only reaching 12-13″ as adults and is less predatory than some of their larger-mouthed relatives. The Marbled Bichir 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.