Saddled bichir
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| phylum | Chordata | The Saddled Bichir is one of the larger Polypterus species attaining a record maximum size of 30". The head is small and lizard-like with a large gaping mouth and small eyes on either side. Since its eyesight is poor the bichir primarily hunts by smell. The fish has a pair of primitive lungs instead of a swim bladder, allowing it to periodically gulp air from the surface of the water. Provided the skin remains moist, the creature can remain out of the water for near indefinite periods of time.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Bichir |
| class | Actinopterygii | |
| order | Polypteriformes | |
| family | Polypteridae | |
| genus | Polypterus | |
| species | P. endlicheri endlicheri |
