#polypteridae

OK, so this is one of my absolute favorite groups of fishes! I love these little dragons...

Barred Bichir (Polypterus delhezi), family Polypteridae, family Playpteriformes, found in the Congo River System of West Africa

photograph by Hampus Hertzman

Ornate Bichir (Polypterus ornatipinnis), family Polypteridae, family Playpteriformes, found in Lake Tanganyika and the Congo River basin in Central and East Africa

photograph by The Wet Spot

Saddled Bichir (Polypterus endlicherii), family Polypteridae, family Playpteriformes, found in lakes and rivers systems across central Africa

Polypteridae. This order is made up of reedfish and bichirs, freshwater fish that have lungs, with some species capable of breathing air.

Acipenseriformes. This order is made up of basal fishes with skeletons made mostly of cartilage. It includes sturgeons and paddlefish.

Saddled bichir (Polypterus endlicheri)

Salmoniformes. This order is made up of migratory carnivorous fish, including salmon and trout.

Polypteridae. This order is made up of reedfish and bichirs, freshwater fish that have lungs, with some species capable of breathing air.

Esociformes. This order is made up of pike and mudminnows, freshwater ambush predators.

Polypteridae. This order is made up of reedfish and bichirs, freshwater fish that have lungs, with some species capable of breathing air.