bichir

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A long freshwater fish from Africa with simple lungs that let it breathe air

noun
/ˈbɪʃɪr/

South African

: bichir

Many hobbyists admire the unique appearance of the bichir in their home tanks.

Examples

The bichir is known for its elongated body.
A bichir can breathe air thanks to its primitive lungs.
The aquarium displayed a rare bichir in its tropical fish section.
Bichirs can breathe air thanks to their lungs.
The Senegal bichir is known for its unique ability to breathe air and navigate through shallow waters.
In the aquarium, the bichir exhibits fascinating behaviors as it glides along the bottom searching for food.
Aquarists often appreciate the bichir for its primitive features and long, elongated body.

Surface Forms

bichir singular

bichirs plural

Etymology

Bichir is the common name for a long, old-looking African freshwater fish and probably comes from local West African or French names used by the people who first met the fish. A helpful way to remember bichir is to picture a long 'living fossil' that can breathe air, because that strange, ancient look is exactly what the name refers to today.