PLATINUM BICHIR 18CM

Platinum Bichir (often called “Platinum Bircher” due to pronunciation or typing) refers to colour morphs of bichirs (genus Polypterus), typically Platinum Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) or Platinum Endlicheri Bichir (Polypterus endlicheri). These are line-bred “platinum” or light-coloured variations of these ancient, dinosaur-like predatory fish, prized for their striking light colouration. Bichirs are found in slow-moving, shallow, swampy, or floodplain waters in tropical West Africa. They inhabit muddy or vegetated bottoms with low oxygen levels, where they use their modified lungs to gulp air at the surface. They are bottom-dwellers and ambush predators.

Mostly nocturnal/bottom-oriented; can be kept with larger, non-aggressive tankmates but may eat smaller fish.

TANK SET UP: Minimum 200-360+ litres for smaller species like Senegal (which reach ~30-40cm). Larger Endlicheri types need 500-720 litres as adults (they can reach 50-60+ cm). Prioritise footprint (long and wide) over height.

Soft sand or smooth gravel to protect their sensitive undersides and allow them to forage. Decorated with driftwood, rocks, caves, and plants for hiding. Secure a tight-fitting lid — bichirs are excellent escape artists and can climb/jump.

TANK MATE: The golden rule for Platinum Bichir tank mates is simple: if it fits in their mouth, it will become a snack.

keep it with Silver Dollars, Congo tetra, Severum Cichlids, Synodontis Catfish, Other Bichirs and Large Freshwater Stingrays

FILTRATION: Use robust filtration (canister, HOB, or sump). Gentle to moderate flow is ideal (mimics still/slow waters), though they tolerate higher flows due to their air-breathing ability. Sponge filters or additional mechanical filtration help with debris. Multiple filters can provide redundancy.

MAINTENANCE: Perform regular partial water changes (20–30% weekly, or 10–25% more frequently for smaller tanks/high bioload). Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm. Nitrates: Keep <20–40 ppm.

FEEDING: feed sinking pellets, frozen/thawed shrimp, fish (e.g., silversides, rosies), earthworms, or similar. Avoid overfeeding.