Product Details

Senegal Bichir Leucistic – Polypterus senegalus

Overview:

The Leucistic Senegal Bichir is a pale, ghostly form of one of the most popular bichirs in the aquarium hobby. With its long armoured body, small dorsal finlets and primitive “dinosaur fish” appearance, Polypterus senegalus makes a fascinating choice for aquarists wanting a hardy but unusual freshwater predator. This is not a small community fish, but in a spacious, secure aquarium with suitable tank mates, it can become a bold and long-lived centrepiece oddball.

Key Identification:

Common Name: Senegal Bichir Leucistic
Other Names: Leucistic Senegal Bichir, Platinum Senegal Bichir, White Senegal Bichir, Senegal Bichir, Dinosaur Bichir, Cuvier’s Bichir, Grey Bichir
Scientific Name: Polypterus senegalus
Fish Type: Bichir / Primitive Predatory Fish
Water Type: Freshwater

Natural Range & Habitat:

The leucistic form is a captive-bred colour strain, but the wild Senegal Bichir has a broad African distribution. FishBase lists Polypterus senegalus from West and parts of Central/North-East Africa, including Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Chad, Sudan and the Nile region, among others. It is a freshwater, bottom-associated species found in slow rivers, floodplains, swamps and vegetated margins, where it hunts among cover and can gulp atmospheric air when needed.

Appearance & Adult Size:

Leucistic Senegal Bichirs have a pale cream to white body, dark eyes and a smooth, almost porcelain look compared with the grey-brown wild form. The body is long and cylindrical with tough ganoid scales, paddle-like pectoral fins and a row of separate dorsal finlets along the back. Aquarium adults are commonly around 30–40 cm, though larger sizes are reported in references, so they should be planned for as a substantial predatory fish rather than a small oddball. Fishkeeper lists a maximum size of around 40 cm, while Seriously Fish gives up to 50 cm for P. senegalus senegalus.

Aquarium Suitability:

This species is best suited to a large, mature aquarium with a good footprint, subdued areas and secure hiding places. Floor space is more important than height, as Senegal Bichirs spend much of their time cruising along the bottom. Smooth wood, caves, pipes, robust plants and open sandy areas all work well. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as bichirs are powerful escape artists and can leave the aquarium through surprisingly small gaps.

Recommended Aquarium Size:

A practical minimum is 250 litres for a single adult, with a tank footprint of at least 120 cm x 45 cm strongly recommended. Larger aquariums are better for multiple bichirs or mixed predator communities. Although young fish are often sold small, they grow into muscular, active predators that need long-term space.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 6.0–8.0
Hardness: Soft to moderately hard; adaptable if stable
Additional Notes: Provide stable tropical conditions, efficient filtration and regular water changes. FishBase gives a pH range of 6.0–8.0, hardness 5–19 dH and temperature around 25–28°C, while UK care guidance gives a similar 24–28°C range. Always leave access to the water surface because bichirs breathe air as part of their normal behaviour.

Temperament & Tank Mates:

Aquarium Category: Predator

Leucistic Senegal Bichirs are usually not aggressive in a territorial sense, but they are predatory and will eat fish small enough to swallow. Suitable tank mates include peaceful to moderately robust fish that are too deep-bodied or large to be viewed as prey, such as larger rainbowfish, Congo Tetras, medium to large barbs, larger peaceful cichlids, Synodontis catfish and suitably sized plecs.

Avoid small tetras, guppies, small rasboras, dwarf Cory-type catfish, shrimp, fry and any narrow-bodied fish that may be taken at night. Very aggressive cichlids or fin-damaging species should also be avoided. Senegal Bichirs can be kept singly, or with other similar-sized bichirs where the aquarium is large enough.

Feeding:

Senegal Bichirs are carnivorous predators. Offer a varied meaty diet including quality sinking carnivore pellets, chopped prawn, mussel, white fish, earthworms, krill, bloodworm and other suitable frozen foods. Many captive-bred leucistic specimens take prepared foods readily, but some may need patience while settling. Avoid routine use of feeder fish, as they can introduce disease and provide poor nutritional control.

Behaviour in the Aquarium:

This is a bottom-orientated fish that often rests under cover by day and becomes more active in the evening. It moves with a distinctive walking or gliding motion using its pectoral fins and will regularly rise to the surface to gulp air. This is normal and should not be mistaken for distress unless accompanied by poor water quality or unusual behaviour. At night it may investigate sleeping tank mates, which is why size-appropriate companions are essential.

Care Notes:

A secure lid is non-negotiable. Cover gaps around filter pipes, heaters, cables and condensation trays. Use sand or smooth fine gravel to avoid abrasions to the underside. Keep only with tank mates too large to swallow, and remember that a small juvenile bichir can grow into a much larger predator. Add only to a fully cycled aquarium, maintain good water quality and avoid sharp décor. This is a hardy species when kept correctly, but it is not suitable for small community tanks.

Recommended For:

Intermediate

Availability:

Occasional / Captive-bred colour form

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.