Bichir Statistics: Popularity, Species & Prices
In the US, bichirs are a well-stocked, mid-priced fish on FishyHub. They have high supply, sit in the mid-range price tier with a moderate spread between species, and listing activity is rising. That makes bichirs one of the more accessible primitive, predatory fish for American keepers - far more affordable than most monster fish, which sit in the collector / premium tier.
Key Findings
- FishyHub marketplace data shows bichirs have high supply in the US, with listing activity rising.
- FishyHub data shows bichirs sit in the mid-range price tier in the US, below the monster fish group as a whole, which sits in the collector / premium tier.
- FishyHub data shows US bichir prices have a moderate spread between species.
- FishyHub data shows bichirs in the US have higher supply than gar, bass, datnoids and knifefish, the predatory fish keepers often compare them with.
- FishyHub data shows plecos in the US sit in the upper mid-range tier, above bichirs, among the fish listed in the bottom-dweller group.
- FishyHub search data shows "bichir" is among the terms shoppers search for most often.
- FishyHub's US marketplace is new and has no bichir order history yet, so popularity is read from listings, momentum and searches.
How Popular Are Bichirs in the US?
Bichirs have a strong following among American keepers who want something different from the usual community tank. On FishyHub's US marketplace, supply is high and listings are rising, and "bichir" sits in the very high search tier.
What draws US keepers to bichirs:
- A living fossil. Bichirs come from an ancient branch of fish, with armored scales, lobed pectoral fins and a row of small dorsal finlets.
- Air-breathing. They have primitive lungs and gulp air at the surface - a talking point that also makes them tough.
- Monster feel, modest price. Bichirs look and act like a predator, yet many species stay a manageable size and the category is mid-range in price.
- Legal in most places. Unlike snakeheads, which are federally restricted, bichirs are widely available to US hobbyists, though keepers should still check their state's rules.
Bichirs Compared With Other Predatory Fish
| Fish | Supply | Price tier | Price spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass | Moderate | Upper mid-range | Moderate |
| Bichir | High | Mid-range | Moderate |
| Datnoid | Limited | Collector / premium | Moderate |
| Gar | Moderate | Mid-range | Narrow |
| Knifefish | Limited | Entry-level / budget | Wide |
Bichirs combine broader availability than other predatory fish with a middle-of-the-market price. Gar are similarly priced but less widely listed; datnoids are scarcer and priced as collector fish.
Bichir Prices in the US
Bichirs sit in the mid-range tier in USD terms on FishyHub, with a moderate spread. The spread reflects how different bichir species are:
- Captive-bred vs wild-caught. Senegal bichirs, including albino forms, are bred in large numbers and are the cheapest way in. Most other species are imported wild-caught from Africa, which adds cost and limits availability.
- Adult size. Large species such as the saddled and ornate bichirs grow big, and grown-out adults cost much more than juveniles.
- Pattern quality. Bold, clean patterning, especially in ornate bichirs, raises the price.
- Rarity. Rarely exported species are the top of the market and seldom listed.
FishyHub does not yet report US price trends, so this page describes where bichirs sit, not how prices are moving.
Bichir Species
FishyHub lists bichirs as one category, so the data covers bichirs as a whole. These are the species US keepers typically see, grouped by type and listed alphabetically:
Beginner-friendly bichirs
- Delhezi (barred) bichir
- Palmas bichir
- Senegal bichir, including albino and other color forms
Large species
- Endlicheri (saddled) bichir
- Lapradei bichir
- Ornate bichir
- Polypterus bichir
Rare and collector species
- Ansorgii bichir
- Mokelembembe bichir
- Teugelsi bichir
- Weeksii bichir
Close relative
- Ropefish (reedfish), listed separately on FishyHub under monster fish
Buying and Shipping Bichirs in the US
Many local fish stores carry Senegal bichirs, while larger and rarer species are easier to find online. FishyHub sellers deliver across the Midwest & Central, East Coast & Northeast, South & Southeast, West Coast & Mountain West, and Alaska, Hawaii & territories zones. In hobby practice, bichirs ship well by overnight courier in insulated boxes because they tolerate low oxygen better than most fish, though large adults need bigger boxes and cost more to ship. Heat packs help in northern winters, and remote destinations such as Alaska and Hawaii usually cost more.
Keeping Bichirs in an American Home
Bichirs are tropical fish, so a heater is standard in most US homes. They need a long tank with plenty of floor space and a tight lid, since they are escape artists, plus tankmates too large to eat. Leave air space under the lid so they can breathe at the surface.
Methodology
This page is based on FishyHub marketplace activity in the US over the period from October 2024 to October 2026. We looked at bichir and related predatory fish listings, listed prices and price spread, new listings over time, and search terms. Findings are reported as tiers and directions, not figures.
The US marketplace is new: there is no US bichir order history, buyer-interest tier or price-trend data yet. FishyHub lists bichirs as one category, so the species guide draws on hobby knowledge. FishyHub does not report state-by-state data, and search terms combine the US and Singapore markets. The data does not measure how many Americans keep bichirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bichir cost?
On FishyHub in the US, bichirs sit in the mid-range price tier with a moderate spread. Senegal bichirs are the most affordable; rare wild-caught species cost the most.
Are bichirs popular?
"Bichir" is among the most searched terms on FishyHub, and US bichir supply is high with listings rising.
What is the easiest bichir to keep?
The Senegal bichir is the usual choice for beginners: hardy, captive-bred and a manageable size.
Are bichirs legal in the US?
Bichirs are widely sold in the US, but rules vary by state, so check with your state wildlife agency.
Can bichirs live with small fish?
Not reliably. Bichirs eat fish that fit in their mouths, so choose larger tankmates.
How to Cite This Page
Source: FishyHub, "Bichir Statistics: Popularity, Species & Prices" (2026), https://fishyhub.com/us/blogs/blog-detail/bichir-statistics-popularity-species-and-prices
