Armored Bichir

Polypterus delhezi 

Habitat & Distribution :  Congo river basin

Diet : Small fish, aquatic insects, amphibians 

Size : Up to 44 cm 

Lifespan : 10-20 years

Description

They have a cylindrical body shaped like a reptile, grey-olive dorsal side and pale yellow ventral side with black spots and transversal stripes, dorsal fin consists of 10-13 finlets, ganoid scales. They can breathe air. 

Behavior

These ancient fish are ambush predator that relies on its sense of smell rather than its poor eyesight. 

Reproduction

They are stimulated by environmental changes, such as water temperature shifts resembling the rainy season, and lay 100–300 adhesive eggs over several days, which are then fertilized and scattered in dense vegetation 

Communication & Perception

These fish are solitary predators, relying heavily on their senses to navigate their environment 

Predator(s)

 Birds, crocodiles, larger predatory fish