Polypterus Mokelembembe Least Concern

Mokele-Mbembe Bichir, Moke Bichir

Stats

Family

Polypteridae

Genus

Polypterus

Size

35.56 cm

Adults are typically around 1 foot with a long thin shaped body.

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Mokelembembe Bichir are mostly peaceful fish with other fish around the same size but will attempt to eat any fish that will fit in their mouth, to include canabalism.

Diet

Omnivore

Tank Size

283.88 L

121.92 cm x 45.72 cm

Temperature

25.0 C - 28.9 C

Parameters

Mokelembembe Bichirs are a very hardy variety of fish that can readily adapt to a wide range of parameters but should be kept between 6pH and 8pH with a temperature between 77F and 84F.

Level

Bottom

Other Information

Breeding

Spawning Method

Egg-scatterer

The male specimen will fertilize the eggs within it's anal and caudal fins before scattering the eggs on plants or other surfaces

Spawn Size

100 fry

Breeding Season or Trigger

Male Bichir contort their anal fin into a bowl shape often referred to as "Cupping" when they are ready to breed

Fry Care

Bichir spawn sizes can be anywhere from 50 to 300 eggs at a time but not all eggs will fully mature. Spawning mops are useful to collect bichir eggs. Bichir fry should be collected and kept separate in their own tank with a constant food source of live microworms or black worms. Water parameters must be as clean as possible for a lower mortality rate and methylene blue may be added to the water with eggs to prevent fungus from killing the eggs.

Locations