This site is dedicated both to the enjoyment of Polypterids in the aquarium, and to providing an information resource about these fishes in general.
The Polypteridae are ancient, snake-like fish whose origins date back to the time of the dinosaurs!
All of the present-day Polypterids come from the freshwater rivers and lakes of Africa.
They are able to breathe air via a lung-like modification to their swim bladder,
and can travel over land using their strong pectoral fins.
There are two genera: the genus Erpetoichthys contains only one species - E. calabaricus, known as the Rope or Reed Fish.
The other genus contains the Polypterus species (bichirs).
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