Leucistic Senegal Bichir
A pale, eel-like ancient predator with armoured scales and a row of separate dorsal finlets, here in a leucistic form. Placid, prehistoric and remarkably long-lived.
Feeding
Carnivorous. Frozen prawn, mussel, earthworm and sinking carnivore pellets, offered after dark.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward fish too large to swallow, and will eat anything smaller. Good with large robust community fish and cichlids.
Behaviour and personality
Cruises the bottom propped on its pectoral fins, surfacing periodically to gulp air. Hunts by scent rather than sight.
Before you buy
A notorious escape artist – the tank must be sealed completely, including around filter pipework. Poor eyesight means it needs target feeding, or faster tankmates will take everything.
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Senegal Bichir (Polypterus senegalus) |
| Coloration | Leucistic (pale white with reduced pigmentation) |
| Size (adult) | Up to 12 inches |
| Lifespan | Over 20 years |
| Water Temperature | 72–82°F |
| Water pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Water Hardness | 2–10 dGH |
FAQ
What should I feed my leucistic Senegal bichir?
Feed frozen prawn, mussel, earthworm, or sinking carnivore pellets after dark. Target feeding is recommended due to poor eyesight.
Is the leucistic Senegal bichir aggressive toward other fish?
It is generally peaceful toward fish too large to swallow. It will eat smaller fish, so avoid keeping it with small or fast-moving species.
Can this fish live in a community tank?
Yes, it works well with large, robust community fish and cichlids, provided they are not small or quick-moving.
Rachel Knox –
Bought this bichir for my 100-gallon tank. It’s calm and stays near the bottom. I feed it frozen prawns at night and it eats well. The tank needs to be sealed tightly, which I’ve done. It’s a long-term investment and very interesting to watch.
Amelia Hunter –
The leucistic color is striking. It’s not aggressive and doesn’t chase smaller fish. I keep it with larger cichlids and it coexists peacefully. Feeding after dark works best. I had to double-check the tank seal to prevent escape.
John Young –
After two years, this bichir is still active and healthy. It surfaces occasionally to breathe and moves slowly through the substrate. I use sinking pellets and frozen prawns. It’s a unique addition to any freshwater setup.