Product Details

Gold Dust Bichir – Polypterus palmas

The Gold Dust Bichir is a prehistoric-looking freshwater predator with a long armoured body, small finlets along the back and attractive golden-brown speckling that gives the fish its popular trade name. Often sold as Palmas Buettikoferi, Gold Dust Palmas Bichir or Buettikofer’s Bichir, this is a fascinating bottom-dwelling species for aquarists who want something unusual, hardy and full of ancient character. It is not a small community fish, but in a spacious aquarium with carefully chosen tank mates, Polypterus palmas can make an impressive and long-lived centrepiece predator.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Gold Dust Bichir
Other Names: Gold Dust Palmas Bichir, Palmas Bichir, Buettikofer’s Bichir, Shortfin Bichir, Polypterus palmas buettikoferi, Polypterus buettikoferi
Scientific Name: Polypterus palmas
Fish Type: Bichir / Primitive Predatory Fish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The Gold Dust Bichir is associated with West African freshwater habitats. The Polypterus palmas complex occurs in coastal river systems around the Gulf of Guinea, with the buettikoferi form/trade locality historically linked to rivers from Senegal through to western Liberia. In the wild, bichirs inhabit slow-moving rivers, swamps, floodplain waters and vegetated margins where they can hunt among roots, submerged cover and soft substrates. They are adapted for air-breathing, so they may rise to the surface to gulp air even when aquarium water is well oxygenated.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Gold Dust Bichirs have an elongated, snake-like body covered in tough ganoid scales, a blunt head, small eyes and multiple individual dorsal finlets running along the back. Their colour is usually olive, tan or golden brown with darker mottling and fine gold dust-like spotting, although pattern and intensity vary between individuals. Adults can reach around 30–35 cm, so they need to be planned for as a large, heavy-bodied aquarium predator rather than a small oddball fish.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to a large, mature aquarium with a generous footprint, secure cover and calm but robust tank mates. It is a bottom-orientated predator, so floor space matters more than tank height. Use smooth décor, bogwood, caves and shaded areas, leaving open space along the substrate for movement. It can be kept in planted aquariums, but plants should be sturdy or well-rooted, as bichirs may push through décor while exploring.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 300 litres for a single adult, with a tank footprint of at least 120 cm x 45 cm strongly recommended. Larger aquariums are preferable for long-term care, multiple bichirs or mixed predator communities.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard
Additional Notes: Provide stable water quality, strong filtration and regular water changes. Bichirs breathe air, so they must always be able to reach the surface. Leave a small air gap above the waterline and use a tight, secure lid with no escape gaps.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Predator

Gold Dust Bichirs are not usually aggressive in the way many cichlids are, but they are predatory and will eat fish small enough to fit in their mouth. Suitable tank mates include peaceful to moderately robust fish that are too large to swallow, such as larger characins, medium to large barbs, larger rainbowfish, Congo Tetras, peaceful cichlids, larger Synodontis and some suitably sized plecs.

Avoid small tetras, guppies, small rasboras, dwarf Corydoras, shrimp and any narrow-bodied fish that may be taken at night. Very aggressive cichlids or fin-damaging tank mates should also be avoided. Bichirs may be kept singly, or with other bichirs if the tank is large enough and all fish are of similar size.

Feeding:

Gold Dust Bichirs are carnivorous predators. Offer a varied meaty diet including sinking carnivore pellets, chopped prawn, mussel, white fish, earthworms, bloodworm, krill and other suitable frozen foods. Some individuals may need patience when converting to prepared foods, especially if recently imported. Avoid feeder fish, as they can introduce disease and offer poor nutritional control. Feed in the evening or after lights dim if faster tank mates outcompete them.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is a mostly bottom-dwelling fish that cruises slowly over the substrate, rests under cover and becomes more active in low light. It may appear inactive during the day, then emerge at feeding time or after dark. Gold Dust Bichirs commonly rise to the surface to gulp air, which is normal behaviour. They are powerful escape artists, especially at night, so a well-fitting lid is essential.

Care Notes:

This is a large predatory oddball fish, not a general community species. Keep only with tank mates too large to be swallowed. Use a soft sand or smooth fine gravel substrate to prevent abrasions. Ensure the aquarium is fully cycled and mature before purchase, as bichirs dislike poor water quality. Cover all gaps around pipes, cables and filter outlets because bichirs can push through surprisingly small openings. Avoid sharp décor that could damage their underside or fins.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Usually wild-caught or specialist import

Image Disclaimer:

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Natural variation in size, colour, pattern and markings can occur between individual fish.