Polypteriformes Polypteriformes

Polypteriformes - Definition and Overview

Bichirs
Nile Bichir
Nile Bichir
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Actinopterygii
Order:Polypteriformes
Family:Polypteridae
Genera

Erpetoichthys
Polypterus

The bichirs are a family (Polypteridae) of primitive ray-finned fishes, the sole family in the order Polypteriformes. They have thick bonelike scales and a series of dorsal finlets instead of a single fin. All 16 recognized species occur in freshwater habitats in Africa. They are popular subjects of public and large hobby aquaria.

Taxonomy

  • Genus Erpetoichthys
    • Erpetoichthys calabaricus - Reedfish or Ropefish
  • Genus Polypterus
    • Polypterus ansorgii - Guinean Bichir
    • Polypterus bichir bichir - Nile Bichir
    • Polypterus bichir katangae
    • Polypterus bichir lapradei
    • Polypterus delhezi - Barred Bichir
    • Polypterus endlicheri congicus
    • Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri - Saddled Bichir
    • Polypterus ornatipinnis - Ornate Bichir
    • Polypterus palmas buettikoferi
    • Polypterus palmas palmas - Shortfin Bichir
    • Polypterus palmas polli
    • Polypterus retropinnis - West African Bichir
    • Polypterus senegalus meridionalis
    • Polypterus senegalus senegalus - Gray Bichir
    • Polypterus weeksii - Mottled Bichir

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