Gray bichir
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; This species inhabits marginal swamps and freshwater lagoons and it appears to favor sheltered inshore habitats ; it inhabits the muddy regions at the sides of rivers and swampy waters, where it lies quiet or glides about with snake-like movements . During the hottest hours of the day, it comes to the surface just on the outer edge of the vegetation, and it goes back to the bottom when disturbed . It feeds on insects, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs and fishes. Polypterus senegalus senegalus is mainly insectivorous . Longevity of Polypterus senegalus in captivity can be 34 years and more . Larval fish 1.1-3.8 cm SL were found in papyrus root mat and juveniles up to 10 cm SL retaining external gills were found in fringing water hyacinth. Feeds mainly on fishes , insects, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs as well as on plant fragments and seeds.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8 - 11; Anal spines: 14 - 17; Vertebrae: 53 - 59. Diagnosis: Polypterus senegalus is characterized by jaws of equal length or an upper jaw slightly longer than lower jaw and a pectoral fin not reaching the first dorsal ray . : elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Gray bichir is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
In Polypterus senegalus courtship starts with a series of leaps from the surface by usually only one of the pair at a time, followed by a slow descent through the water; after a while the male stays very close to the female and at times the female will remain motionless in the water and the male will come up to her from behind and nudge her with sidewise movements of his head; the enlarged and swollen anal fin of the male is folded in a cup-like fashion and is used to brush the female . No nest is constructed, but the eggs are laid a few at a time throughout the thick vegetation . The larvae, which move about with the male parent in a dense school, are provided with accessory gills and appear very salamander-like .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 19; potamodromous . Tropical; 25°C - 28°C ; 16°N - 2°S, 17°W - 37°E West Africa, in Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Volta and Chad basins (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
insects, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs and fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Gray 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 270 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Gray bichir has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polypterus arnaudii | Duméril | 1870 | Synonym |
| Polypterus senagalus | Cuvier | 1829 | Synonym |
| Polypterus senegalensis | Steindachner | 1870 | Synonym |
| Polypterus senegalus meridionalis | Poll | 1941 | Synonym |
| Polypterus senegalus senegalus | - | - | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 81 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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