Nile bichir
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Polypterus bichir bichir likes shallow water and will often lie basking fo hours near the surface, but when swimming the fish is very pliant, and can turn and twist like an eel . The eggs are deposited in weeds, where the adult fish guards the eggs and young . It feeds on bottom-feeding fish and is essentially piscivorous .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 16; Vertebrae: 61 - 62. Diagnosis: Polypterus bichir is characterized by a lower jaw slightly longer than upper jaw and a pectoral fin reaching the first dorsal ray . The subspecies P. bichir bichir has 63 to 70 scales in lateral line, 14 to 18 dorsal fin rays and 11 to 13 pelvic fin rays . The subspecies P. bichir lapradei has 58 to 68 scales in lateral line, 13 to 15 dorsal fin rays and 13 to 16 pelvic fin rays . : elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Nile bichir is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Nile bichir is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Nile bichir is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous . Tropical known from the Chad basin, Nile River basin and Lake Turkana (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
bottom-feeding fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Nile bichir is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Nile bichir is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Nile bichir has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Nile bichir |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polypterus bichir bichir | — | — | Synonym |
| Polypterus bichir lapradei | Steindachner | 1869 | Synonym |
| Polypterus lapradei | Steindachner | 1869 | Synonym |
| Polypterus niloticus | Shaw | 1804 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 25 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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