Gold Dust Bichir - Polypterus palmas "buettikoferi" (Senegal River)
Gold Dust Bichir (Polypterus palmas)
The Gold Dust Bichir is a striking West African bichir prized for its rich golden base colour, darker banding and ancient, armour-plated appearance. In the trade it is often sold as Palmas “buettikoferi”, referring to the northern form historically labelled Polypterus palmas buettikoferi, but current taxonomic authorities treat that name as a synonym of Polypterus palmas.
Common Name:
Gold Dust Bichir. It is also commonly sold as Palmas Bichir or Buettikofer’s Bichir in older aquarium usage.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Polypterus palmas
Older trade / historical name: Polypterus palmas buettikoferi.
Maximum Size:
Up to 35.3 cm standard length.
Water Type:
Freshwater.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The species is native to West Africa, and the northern “buettikoferi” trade form is associated with the Upper Casamance in Senegal through to the Saint Paul River in western Liberia. Bichirs are bottom-dwelling fish adapted to swampy, slow-moving habitats and are able to breathe atmospheric air.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: 5–15 dGH
These are sensible captive-care parameters for the Gold Dust form in aquaria.
Temperament:
Generally peaceful but predatory. Like other bichirs, it is not usually aggressive towards tankmates too large to swallow, but it should never be trusted with small fish or ornamental shrimp.
Diet:
Carnivorous. Offer a varied diet of sinking carnivore foods alongside frozen or live foods such as earthworms, bloodworm, prawns and other protein-rich fare.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 200 litres, but a larger aquarium with a strong footprint is preferable as the fish matures.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a largely bottom-dwelling, twilight-to-nocturnal fish that spends much of the day resting under cover before becoming more active later on. It must always have access to the surface, as bichirs regularly breathe atmospheric air.
Aquarium Category:
Semi-Aggressive / Specialist
Best kept with peaceful but robust tankmates that are far too large to be swallowed, such as larger peaceful cichlids, bigger gouramis, sturdier catfish, knife fish or other appropriately sized bichirs. Avoid small community fish, shrimp, tiny bottom-dwellers and very boisterous fish that may outcompete it at feeding time or harass it. This species is not a true community fish, but it is also not a classic tank buster if given the right space and tankmates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A tight-fitting lid is essential, as bichirs are powerful escape artists. Provide a soft substrate, subdued lighting, caves or wood for cover, and a small air gap above the waterline so the fish can surface normally. High water quality and secure tank covers are especially important.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers. It is generally considered one of the more manageable bichirs, but it still needs a secure setup, suitable tankmates and an owner who understands predatory freshwater fish.
Availability:
Occasional in trade. The Gold Dust / “buettikoferi” form is well known in the hobby, but it is not as routine as the standard Senegal bichir. This is an informed trade inference based on current taxonomy and aquarium-trade naming.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
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Gold Dust Bichir - Polypterus palmas "buettikoferi" (Senegal River)
Gold Dust Bichir - Polypterus palmas "buettikoferi" (Senegal River)
Gold Dust Bichir (Polypterus palmas)
The Gold Dust Bichir is a striking West African bichir prized for its rich golden base colour, darker banding and ancient, armour-plated appearance. In the trade it is often sold as Palmas “buettikoferi”, referring to the northern form historically labelled Polypterus palmas buettikoferi, but current taxonomic authorities treat that name as a synonym of Polypterus palmas.
Common Name:
Gold Dust Bichir. It is also commonly sold as Palmas Bichir or Buettikofer’s Bichir in older aquarium usage.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Polypterus palmas
Older trade / historical name: Polypterus palmas buettikoferi.
Maximum Size:
Up to 35.3 cm standard length.
Water Type:
Freshwater.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The species is native to West Africa, and the northern “buettikoferi” trade form is associated with the Upper Casamance in Senegal through to the Saint Paul River in western Liberia. Bichirs are bottom-dwelling fish adapted to swampy, slow-moving habitats and are able to breathe atmospheric air.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: 5–15 dGH
These are sensible captive-care parameters for the Gold Dust form in aquaria.
Temperament:
Generally peaceful but predatory. Like other bichirs, it is not usually aggressive towards tankmates too large to swallow, but it should never be trusted with small fish or ornamental shrimp.
Diet:
Carnivorous. Offer a varied diet of sinking carnivore foods alongside frozen or live foods such as earthworms, bloodworm, prawns and other protein-rich fare.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 200 litres, but a larger aquarium with a strong footprint is preferable as the fish matures.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a largely bottom-dwelling, twilight-to-nocturnal fish that spends much of the day resting under cover before becoming more active later on. It must always have access to the surface, as bichirs regularly breathe atmospheric air.
Aquarium Category:
Semi-Aggressive / Specialist
Best kept with peaceful but robust tankmates that are far too large to be swallowed, such as larger peaceful cichlids, bigger gouramis, sturdier catfish, knife fish or other appropriately sized bichirs. Avoid small community fish, shrimp, tiny bottom-dwellers and very boisterous fish that may outcompete it at feeding time or harass it. This species is not a true community fish, but it is also not a classic tank buster if given the right space and tankmates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A tight-fitting lid is essential, as bichirs are powerful escape artists. Provide a soft substrate, subdued lighting, caves or wood for cover, and a small air gap above the waterline so the fish can surface normally. High water quality and secure tank covers are especially important.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers. It is generally considered one of the more manageable bichirs, but it still needs a secure setup, suitable tankmates and an owner who understands predatory freshwater fish.
Availability:
Occasional in trade. The Gold Dust / “buettikoferi” form is well known in the hobby, but it is not as routine as the standard Senegal bichir. This is an informed trade inference based on current taxonomy and aquarium-trade naming.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $40.60
-65%$40.60
$14.21Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Gold Dust Bichir (Polypterus palmas)
The Gold Dust Bichir is a striking West African bichir prized for its rich golden base colour, darker banding and ancient, armour-plated appearance. In the trade it is often sold as Palmas “buettikoferi”, referring to the northern form historically labelled Polypterus palmas buettikoferi, but current taxonomic authorities treat that name as a synonym of Polypterus palmas.
Common Name:
Gold Dust Bichir. It is also commonly sold as Palmas Bichir or Buettikofer’s Bichir in older aquarium usage.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Polypterus palmas
Older trade / historical name: Polypterus palmas buettikoferi.
Maximum Size:
Up to 35.3 cm standard length.
Water Type:
Freshwater.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
The species is native to West Africa, and the northern “buettikoferi” trade form is associated with the Upper Casamance in Senegal through to the Saint Paul River in western Liberia. Bichirs are bottom-dwelling fish adapted to swampy, slow-moving habitats and are able to breathe atmospheric air.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH Range: 6.5–7.5
Hardness: 5–15 dGH
These are sensible captive-care parameters for the Gold Dust form in aquaria.
Temperament:
Generally peaceful but predatory. Like other bichirs, it is not usually aggressive towards tankmates too large to swallow, but it should never be trusted with small fish or ornamental shrimp.
Diet:
Carnivorous. Offer a varied diet of sinking carnivore foods alongside frozen or live foods such as earthworms, bloodworm, prawns and other protein-rich fare.
Minimum Tank Size:
A practical long-term recommendation is at least 200 litres, but a larger aquarium with a strong footprint is preferable as the fish matures.
Behaviour & Activity:
This is a largely bottom-dwelling, twilight-to-nocturnal fish that spends much of the day resting under cover before becoming more active later on. It must always have access to the surface, as bichirs regularly breathe atmospheric air.
Aquarium Category:
Semi-Aggressive / Specialist
Best kept with peaceful but robust tankmates that are far too large to be swallowed, such as larger peaceful cichlids, bigger gouramis, sturdier catfish, knife fish or other appropriately sized bichirs. Avoid small community fish, shrimp, tiny bottom-dwellers and very boisterous fish that may outcompete it at feeding time or harass it. This species is not a true community fish, but it is also not a classic tank buster if given the right space and tankmates.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
A tight-fitting lid is essential, as bichirs are powerful escape artists. Provide a soft substrate, subdued lighting, caves or wood for cover, and a small air gap above the waterline so the fish can surface normally. High water quality and secure tank covers are especially important.
Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers. It is generally considered one of the more manageable bichirs, but it still needs a secure setup, suitable tankmates and an owner who understands predatory freshwater fish.
Availability:
Occasional in trade. The Gold Dust / “buettikoferi” form is well known in the hobby, but it is not as routine as the standard Senegal bichir. This is an informed trade inference based on current taxonomy and aquarium-trade naming.
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
