Fishician®Diet
Carnivore – large frozen shrimp, fish chunks, earthworms, mussels; nocturnal ambush hunter
Aquarium species profile
Polypterus Ornatipinnis
Polypterus ornatipinnis · Africa (Congo River basin, Lake Tanganyika tributaries)
Minimum tank125 gal
Adult size24"
Care levelModerate
TemperamentSemi-Aggressive
Temperature75–82°F
pH range6.5–7.8
Compatible tank mates
Large robust fish too big to swallow (large cichlids, large catfish, large loaches)
Tank mates to avoid
Small fish (will eat at night), conspecific males in small spaces
Care notes
Living fossil — Polypterus have barely changed in 65 million years. Can breathe air using a primitive lung; actually needs access to air above the water. Most ornately patterned bichir species. Nocturnal. Impressive escape artist — weighted lid essential. Can walk short distances on land using pectoral fins.
Check the whole aquarium. Tank size alone does not establish compatibility. Confirm adult size, water overlap, social grouping, territory, diet, and the individual animals before stocking.