This is not an exhaustive treatment of all of the color varieties of these 'primitive' and unique fish and some of the species are still relatively rare in the aquarium hobby and I don't have pictures available for some of them.
The genera and species are arranged alphabetically for ease of searching.
A note on 'upper-jaw' versus 'lower-jaw' bichirs:
Enthusiasts of the Family Polypteridae often categorize the various species as being either 'upper-jaw' or 'lower-jaw' bichirs. In the 'upper-jaw' bichirs, the top jaw is equal in length or longer than the lower jaw. In the 'lower-jaw' bichirs the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper jaw and often gives the fish a characteristic bulldog appearance. 'Lower jaw' bichir species are generally larger than their 'upper-jaw' counterparts.
Erpetoichthys calabaricus - the Rope (or Reed) Fish
The only species in the genus Erpetoichthys, the Rope Fish is distinguished from all other Polypteridae by its extremely elongated body and the lack of ventral fins. Maximum length is about 24 inches but specimens of this size are unusual in aquariums. Commonly available.
Polypterus ansorgii
No Picture Available
Still quite rare in the aquarium hobby, Polypterus ansorgii was, until late 2006, known only from museum specimens. Some specimens that appear to be P. ansorgii have recently been offered for sale at high prices ($350.00 + in the U.S.). This is a 'lower-jaw' bichir of unknown maximum size and is characterized by a pattern of dark, square blotches down its length.
Polypyterus bichir bichir - the Nile Bichir
No Picture Available
A rare fish in the aquarium hobby, Polypterus bichir bichir was the first of the genus to be described. There is some confusion between this subspecies and its close relative P. bichir lapradei. Questionable specimens have been offered for sale in Asian tropical fish markets. A 'lower-jaw' bichir, maximum size is reported to be about 27 inches.
Polypterus bichir lapradei
One of the 'lower-jaw' bichirs, Polypterus bichir lapradei is available in an array of color varieties based on the environment from which the particular fish was collected. The fish pictured above is the 'Koliba' variant. Maximum reported size is about 30 inches. This fish has become more common in the aquarium hobby in recent years.
Polypterus delhezi - the Armored Bichir
One of the most popular of the more commonly-available bichirs, Polypterus delhezi is an 'upper-jaw' bichir that is prized for its pattern and for being fairly active. Individuals lacking the contrasting black bars are sometimes offered for sale. Maximum size is about 14-16 inches.
Polypterus endlicheri congicus - the Congo Bichir
This bichir is generally thought to be the largest of them all. The Congo Bichir can reach the impressive size of 39 inches with girth to match. One of the 'lower-jaw' bichirs, it is fairly commonly available. Note that the individual pictured above is a young fish with the remnants of its external gills still visible.
Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri - the Red (or Saddled) Bichir
Another 'lower-jaw' bichir, Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri can reach an impressive size. This is one of the most popular of the bichirs in Asian fish-keeping circles. The common name of Red Bichir is due to the fact that some individuals develop an attractive reddish hue. Maximum size is a bit over 30 inches. The individual pictured above is a little over a foot in length.
Polypterus mokelembembe
Formerly known as Polypterus retropinnis (a species name now assigned to a different fish), this 'upper-jaw' bichir is fairly uncommon in the aquarium trade. The characteristic pattern is of indistinct dark blotches. The bronze-colored iris is also typical. A relatively small bichir, Polypterus mokelembembe rarely exceeds 12 inches. The individual pictured above is a very young fish. Note that the species name 'mokelembembe' refers to the mythical dinosaur-like animal said to inhabit lakes and jungles of the deep Congo River drainage.
Polypterus ornatipinnis - the Ornate Bichir
The largest of the 'upper-jaw' bichirs, Polypterus ornatipinnis can reach 24 inches. Known for its striking pattern (which tends to fade as the fish gets older), the Ornate Bichir is very popular with aquarists. Individual temperaments can vary with some being very active and others being proverbial 'logs with fins'. Somewhat commonly-available.
Polypterus palmas buettikoferi - Buettikofer's Bichir
One of the Polypterus palmas complex, this fairly small, 'upper-jaw' bichir is difficult to distinguish from individuals of its close relative, Polypterus palmas palmas. As seen in the picture above, some individuals have a very yellow coloration. Maximum size is about 14 inches. A fairly uncommon bichir in the aquarium trade.
Polypterus palmas palmas - Marbled (or Shortfin) Bichir
The taxonomy of the Polypterus palmas complex of bichirs is still in a bit of a muddle but the fish pictured above seems to fit the published description of Polypterus palmas palmas. An 'upper-jaw' bichir, Polypterus palmas palmas reaches a maximum length of about 14 inches. Quite uncommonly available.
Polypterus palmas polli - Poll's Bichir
The most easily-distinguished of the Polypterus palmas complex, Polypterus palmas polli is an active 'upper-jaw' bichir with an attractive pattern. Often mis-labeled as Polypterus retropinnis in local fish stores, it reaches a maximum size of 14-16 inches. Some individuals have a greenish hue. Fairly commonly available.
Polypterus retropinnis
Formerly known as the Polypterus sp. 'Zaire Green', this fairly elongated bichir is now correctly called Polypterus retropinnis. A very distinctive 'upper-jaw' bichir, nearly all of the P. retropinnis individuals I have kept have been secretive to the extreme. Maximum size is about 16 inches. Not commonly-available.
Polypterus senegalus - the Senegal (or Cuvier's) Bichir
Lacking any distinctive pattern, Polypterus senegalus is by far the most commonly-available bichir and the one most often recommended as a 'starter' bichir. Polypterus senegalus is often sold as the 'Dinosaur Eel' in larger pet 'chain stores'. A relatively-small 'upper-jaw' bichir, P. senegalus reaches a maximum length of 12-14 inches. A questionable subspecies, Polypterus senegalus meridionalis, is reported to exceed 20 inches in length. Most individual Senegal Bichirs are quite active. Albino specimens with red eyes are also often offered for sale. Note that the red eyes on the individual pictured above are an artifact of the flash used to take the picture.
Polypterus teugelsi
No picture available
The most recently-described bichir, Polypterus teugelsi is a fairly large for an 'upper-jaw' bichir with some recently-available specimens being over 16 inches in length. Similar in appearance to Polypterus retropinnis, this species is found only in the Cross River system in western Africa. Individuals are rarely available and command very high prices ($350.00 + U.S.)
Polypterus weeksii - Week's Bichir
This heavy-set, large-headed bichir has a very attractive pattern. Second in size only to Polypterus ornatipinnis among the 'upper-jaw' bichirs, individuals of P. weeksii can reach an impressive 22 inches in length. Usually fairly secretive, this species is not often available for sale.
