Fin's Fish Guide
The Poll's bichir (Polypterus polli) is a freshwater fish of the family Polypteridae that grows up to 32 cm.
Description
Poll's bichir is an ancient freshwater fish of the family Polypteridae from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species has an elongate body covered with hard, glossy ganoid scales and bears a characteristic row of separate finlets on the back. It reaches about 32 cm and, thanks to a pair of lung-like swim bladders, can breathe air at the surface, an adaptation to oxygen-poor swamps and floodplains. It is a nocturnal, bottom-oriented hunter feeding mainly on insects and insect larvae. The species belongs to a very ancient group of ray-finned fishes with a primitive build.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Poll's bichir?
The Poll's bichir has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Row of separate dorsal finlets and ganoid scales; can breathe air with lung-like swim bladders; primitive build.
Where does the Poll's bichir live?
The Poll's bichir lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Freshwater of the Congo basin in Central Africa.
How big does the Poll's bichir get?
The Poll's bichir grows to a maximum of about 32 cm.
Is the Poll's bichir dangerous to humans?
No, the Poll's bichir is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Poll's bichir edible?
The Poll's bichir is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Polypterus
More from the family Polypteridae
Want the complete picture on the Poll's bichir?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Poll's bichir is one of 12,519 species in the app.