Description of Polypterus Endlicheri

Polypterus endlicheri live in swamps and rivers. Polypterus endlicheri is essentially piscivorous. Diet includes snails and crustaceans in the wild, and accept feederfishes, shrimps, market prawn in the tank.

Polypterus endlicheri are very large, predatory fish distinguished by their armoured bodies, numerous dorsal fins, and lobed pectoral and pelvic fins, sandy grey above and paler below, with a few indistinct horizontal bands running over the back and onto the flanks. These bands may be forked or broken into little more than blotches.

They have a very ancient look about them, and can make interesting and rewarding pets. Irregular vertical bands are present along the sides of the fish, which do not extend fully onto the ventral surface, which is a uniform whitish-yellow colour. Black spots are present on the head, body and caudal fin. Prominent lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. 11-15 dorsal finlets.

endlicheri

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Polypteriformes
Family: Polypteridae
Genus: Polypterus
Species : P. endlicherii - saddled bichir