Ornate Bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis) 3”

The Ornate Bichir is one of the most impressive freshwater fish you can own. With its striking black and yellow pattern, armored scales, and prehistoric appearance, it’s a true showpiece that always gets people’s attention. These ancient fish have been around for millions of years, and they look every bit the part.

Ornate Bichirs are surprisingly laid-back and spend much of the day resting on the bottom before becoming more active in the evening. They’re full of personality, quickly learn when it’s feeding time, and can become very interactive with their owners.

Why people love Ornate Bichirs:
• Stunning black and yellow pattern
• Prehistoric appearance unlike any other fish
• Tons of personality
• Incredible centerpiece fish for large aquariums
• Hardy and long-lived with proper care
• Fun to watch, especially at feeding time

Care Info:

Scientific Name: Polypterus ornatipinnis
Common Names: Ornate Bichir, Ornate Polypterus
Temperament: Peaceful predator
Adult Size: 18–24 inches
Tank Size: 125 gallons or larger
Temperature: 76–82°F
pH: 6.5–8.0
Diet: Carnivore
Difficulty: Intermediate

Ornate Bichirs appreciate aquariums with sand or smooth gravel, driftwood, caves, and plenty of open space to explore. They are excellent escape artists, so a tight-fitting lid is essential. They do well with larger, peaceful fish but will eat anything small enough to fit in their mouths.

Feed a high-quality carnivore pellet along with frozen foods like shrimp, krill, silversides, earthworms, and other meaty foods. A varied diet will help keep them healthy and bring out their beautiful pattern.

Shipping Info:

We ship fish on Monday and Tuesday so they arrive quickly and safely. Orders usually arrive Wednesday or Thursday.

All fish are packed carefully with insulation and heat or cold packs when needed.

Live arrival is guaranteed as long as someone is available to receive the package on the first delivery attempt.

Availability: We do our best to keep our inventory up to date, but quantities available are subject to change without notice. If we’re unable to fulfill part of your order, we’ll automatically refund the difference.

Color and size may vary depending on age and natural variation.