{"product_id":"saddled-bichir","title":"Saddled Bichir","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.08em; color: #0a2a3a; border-bottom: 2px solid #3a7ca5; padding-bottom: 8px; margin-bottom: 18px; text-transform: uppercase;\"\u003esaddled Bichir\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaddled Bichir\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePolypterus endlicheri\u003c\/em\u003e) is among the largest commonly available bichirs — the body has a warm reddish-brown to orange-red background with dark saddle markings. One of the most impressive bichirs at adult size. Bichirs are ancient, armored fish whose lineage stretches back over 400 million years — among the most primitive ray-finned fishes alive today. Their multiple dorsal finlets, thick ganoid scales, and air-breathing ability are all primitive features retained from their Devonian ancestors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; background-color: #e0f0f8; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8; padding: 14px 18px; color: #0a2a3a;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Care Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms\u003c\/strong\u003e make excellent staples — feed after lights dim when bichirs are most active. \u003cstrong\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e and fresh shrimp are good supplemental meaty foods. Bichirs locate food by smell — target-feeding with tongs ensures they find food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003eBichirs are air-breathers — they regularly visit the surface to gulp atmospheric air from a modified swim bladder that functions as a primitive lung. Always ensure unobstructed surface access and a tight-fitting, weighted lid — bichirs are powerful and will push open loose lids. Sandy or smooth substrate suits their benthic lifestyle. Low lighting and hiding spots from caves and PVC tubes encourage natural behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 16px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003eKeep singly or with large, robust fish too big to eat. Bichirs are surprisingly peaceful toward fish that cannot fit in their mouths, but will eat anything that can. Good tankmates include large cichlids, large catfish, large barbs, and other bichirs of similar size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 24px; color: #2c2c2c;\"\u003eBichirs are among the most remarkable fish available — living fossils that carry the genetic and physical legacy of the Devonian era. Hardy once established, they can live 15–20 years and become surprisingly personable over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.1em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #0a2a3a; border-top: 1px solid #b0d0e8; padding-top: 18px; margin-bottom: 14px;\"\u003eCare \u0026amp; Ideal Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.92em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003ePeaceful with large fish — predatory toward small fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTypical Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e24 inches (60 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eMin. Group Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSingly or with large fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal Temp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e75–84°F (24–29°C)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e6.5–8.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e5–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eIdeal KH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003e2–12 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eStaple Food\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eTreat \/ Supplement\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eHikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp; fresh shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #e0f0f8; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eSub-Saharan Africa (rivers and floodplains)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #0a2a3a; font-weight: 600; width: 38%; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8; vertical-align: top;\"\u003eNotes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 9px 14px; background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c2c2c; border: 1px solid #b0d0e8;\"\u003eLarge Polypterus — warm reddish-brown background with dark saddles. Grows to 24 inches. Large tank essential. Air-breather.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50269953589559,"sku":"CA2007","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/cuboidstore.com\/products\/saddled-bichir","provider":"Cuboid Aquatics LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}