Polypteriformes

The Polypteriformes order, commonly known as bichirs, comprises about 10 species of air-breathing freshwater fish found in Africa. These fish are characterized by their elongated bodies, fleshy pectoral fin lobes, rounded tails, and thick, enameled scales. Bichirs possess functional lungs for breathing air, in addition to gills for extracting oxygen from water. Their dorsal fin is a series of spines, each tipped with fin rays.1

Bichirs inhabit river and lake systems, foraging at night for worms, insects, small fish, and amphibians. Some species can even move short distances on land using their pectoral fins. They are harvested for food and aquariums, with all species considered of least concern by conservation organizations. Bichirs are considered primitive fish and are classified in their own clade, Cladistia.123