Bichir Statistics Singapore: Popularity, Species & Prices
Bichirs are a collector fish in Singapore. On FishyHub they sit in the collector / premium price tier with a wide spread between species, and supply is high - higher than demand, as purchases and buyer interest are moderate. Activity in the category is cooling, so for buyers this is a good time to choose: there are plenty of bichirs listed and little competition for them.
Key Findings
- FishyHub marketplace data shows bichirs sit in the collector / premium price tier in Singapore, well above the plecos, corys and bottom dwellers group they are listed in, which is mid-range.
- FishyHub data shows bichirs have high supply in Singapore, and supply runs ahead of demand.
- FishyHub data shows bichir purchases and buyer interest in Singapore are both moderate.
- FishyHub data shows bichirs have a wide price spread in Singapore, from common farm-bred species to rare wild-caught ones.
- FishyHub data shows bichir activity in Singapore is cooling, while the bottom-dweller group as a whole is steady.
- FishyHub data shows ropefish, a close relative of bichirs, sit in the mid-range price tier in Singapore with limited supply.
- FishyHub search data shows "bichir" is among the terms shoppers search for most often.
How Popular Are Bichirs in Singapore?
Bichirs are a niche fish with a loyal following. On FishyHub in Singapore, they draw moderate purchases and moderate interest - steady but not mass-market. The search picture is stronger: "bichir" sits in the very high search tier, so many shoppers look bichirs up even if fewer go on to buy.
Their appeal is easy to see:
- Living fossils. Bichirs belong to an ancient lineage of fish. Their armoured scales, lobed fins and row of dorsal finlets make them look prehistoric.
- Air-breathing. Bichirs have simple lungs and gulp air at the surface, which fascinates keepers and makes them hardy.
- Personality. They prowl the bottom, follow food and become tame, giving a "monster fish" feel without the extreme size of an arowana.
Bichirs are also unusual in where they sit on the marketplace. They are listed among bottom dwellers, yet they are priced like monster fish:
| Fish | Supply | Price tier | Demand vs supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bichir | High | Collector / premium | Supply ahead of demand |
| Plecos, corys and bottom dwellers (group) | High | Mid-range | Demand ahead of supply |
| Pleco | Very high | Upper mid-range | Balanced |
| Ropefish | Limited | Mid-range | Balanced |
Bichir Prices in Singapore
The bichir category sits in the collector / premium tier in SGD terms on FishyHub, with a wide spread. FishyHub does not report a price direction for bichirs in Singapore. What drives price:
- Species. Senegal bichirs are bred in captivity in large numbers and sit at the affordable end. Most other species are wild-caught from African rivers, and some come out only rarely, which puts them at the top of the range.
- Size. Large adults of the bigger species take years to grow and are priced well above juveniles.
- Pattern and colour. Ornate bichirs with crisp patterning, and albino and other colour forms, sell for more.
- Rarity. Species from remote regions with limited exports are the true collector fish, and are seldom listed.
Bichir Species in Singapore
FishyHub lists bichirs as one category, so the marketplace data covers bichirs as a whole. The species commonly offered in Singapore are grouped below by type and listed alphabetically, from hobby knowledge.
Smaller and commonly available bichirs
- Polypterus delhezi (barred bichir)
- Polypterus palmas
- Polypterus senegalus (Senegal bichir, including albino and other colour forms)
Large bichirs
- Polypterus bichir
- Polypterus endlicheri (saddled bichir)
- Polypterus lapradei
- Polypterus ornatipinnis (ornate bichir)
Rare and collector species
- Polypterus ansorgii
- Polypterus mokelembembe
- Polypterus teugelsi
- Polypterus weeksii
Close relative
- Erpetoichthys calabaricus (ropefish), listed separately on FishyHub under monster fish
Supply and Demand
Bichir supply runs ahead of demand on FishyHub in Singapore. With activity cooling, more listings are competing for a steady group of buyers. For a buyer, that means:
- Common species such as Senegal and delhezi bichirs are easy to find.
- There is room to compare sellers on size, health and patterning.
- Rare species still appear only occasionally, and are worth acting on when they do.
The cooling trend fits a pattern common to monster-style fish in Singapore: the monster fish group overall is cooling too, while smaller community fish and plants remain in very high demand.
Where Bichirs Are Bought and Sold in Singapore
FishyHub livestock data shows Central Singapore with the most buyers and sellers, the North-East and West busy, the East with fewer buyers and the fewest sellers, and the North with the fewest buyers. Bichirs are tough travellers, so delivery across the island gives buyers access to sellers in every region.
Keeping Bichirs in Singapore
Bichirs are tropical African fish and suit Singapore room temperatures, so most keepers do not need a heater. They need a long tank with plenty of floor space, a secure lid with no gaps, since they can climb out, and tankmates too large to fit in their mouths. Because they breathe air, leave a gap between the water surface and the lid.
Methodology
This page is based on FishyHub marketplace activity in Singapore over the period from October 2024 to October 2026. We looked at bichir, ropefish and bottom-dweller listings, listed prices, price spread, orders, wishlists, likes and "my tank" saves, new listings and orders over time, buyer and seller regions, and search terms. Findings are reported as tiers and directions, not figures.
FishyHub lists bichirs as one category, so the data does not separate species; the species guide draws on hobby knowledge. FishyHub does not report a price direction for bichirs in Singapore. Regional data covers livestock in general, and search terms combine the Singapore and US markets. The data does not measure how many Singapore households keep bichirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bichir cost in Singapore?
On FishyHub, bichirs sit in the collector / premium price tier in Singapore, with a wide spread. Senegal bichirs are the most affordable; rare wild-caught species cost the most.
Are bichirs popular in Singapore?
They are a niche favourite. FishyHub shows moderate purchases and interest, high supply, and "bichir" in the very high search tier.
Is it a good time to buy a bichir in Singapore?
FishyHub data shows supply ahead of demand and activity cooling, which gives buyers plenty of choice.
Do bichirs need a heater in Singapore?
Usually not. Singapore room temperatures suit most bichirs.
Can bichirs live with other fish?
Yes, with tankmates too big to swallow. Small fish such as tetras are likely to be eaten.
How to Cite This Page
Source: FishyHub, "Bichir Statistics Singapore: Popularity, Species & Prices" (2026), https://fishyhub.com/sg/blogs/blog-detail/bichir-statistics-singapore-popularity-species-and-prices
