New Friends: Dinosaur Eel a.k.a. Bichir !

Recently, there is a new inhabitant in our farm called the Dinosaur Eel also known as Bichir. The Bichir is from the Polypteridae family and it is also commonly known as Sailfin. It is a freshwater fish that has an elongated snake-like body, small but wide head, circular tail, and the length of its body can grow up to about 2 ft long. It lives in places such as freshwater rivers, lagoons, swampy waters, lakes and streams.

Bichers look amazingly similar to a salamander but they are not! It is a type of primitive fish that is called a living fossil and can survive out of water. They have a modified bladder that is lung-like which allows them to obtain oxygen from air in poor oxygenated waters. Bichirs also have spiracles located behind each eyes and very tough ganoid scales (diamond shape) to prevent water loss from the body. The Bichir is a carnivorous fish that feeds on prawns, fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, insects and frogs.

There are about 18 species of bichirs known worldwide and a few of the species are now living in the aquarium of the Penang Butterfly Farm. One of them is a special and interesting bichir known as the Ornate bichir. It is one of the most attractive of all bichirs with striking black and yellow color. This bichir has a cute and strong pectoral fins to sustain the front body part (similar to legs) and the pelvic fins located near to the end of its body. The below is the picture of the Ornate Bichir.

Besides the Ornate bichir, we also have the Barred Bichir, Albino Bichir and the Grey Bichir.

Posted in Freshwater Fish

Tags: bichir, dinosaur eel, ornate bichir, polypteridae, primitive fish, sailfin