Mokelembembe Bichir (Polypterus Mokelembembe)

Mokelembembe Bichir A rarely imported, medium-sized Bichir found in parts of the Congo River Basin in Central Africa, the Mokele-Mbembe Bichir is one of the more recently described members of the genus (it had been previously misidentified as P. retropinnis). In the wild, it tends to inhabit acidic, blackwater creeks and rivers but is hardy and will adapt to a wide range of conditions in the aquarium. A member of the so-called “upper jaw” group of Bichirs due to the fact that their upper lip protrudes past the lower, like all Polypterus they require a tightly-covered aquarium as they will jump if given the chance.

Mokele-Mbembe Bichir (Polypterus mokolembembe)

Origin: Wild Africa
Locale: Central Congo Basin
Diet: Predator, will accept frozen and sinking foods
Adult Size: 12″
Recommended Tank Size: 90 gallon
Compatibility: Predatory, but generally not aggressive towards tankmates too big to be considered a meal. Should not be kept with overly aggressive fish which may nip at their fins.

Preferred Water Parameters
pH:                          7.0  – 7.6
Temp:                     76-82F
Ammonia:              0ppm
Nitrite:                    0ppm
Nitrate:                  <30ppm