Author: Cuvier, 1829
FBname: Gray bichir
Comments: This species inhabits marginal swamps and freshwater lagoons (Ref. 3066) and it appears to favor sheltered inshore habitats (Ref. 3034); it inhabits the muddy regions at the sides of rivers and swampy waters, where it lies quiet or glides about with snake-like movements (Ref. 49805). During the hottest hours of the day, it comes to the surface just on the outer edge of the vegetation, and it goes back to the bottom when disturbed (Ref. 45962).  It feeds on insects, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs and fishes (Ref. 4903, Ref. 28714). <i>Polypterus senegalus senegalus</i> is mainly insectivorous (Ref. 367). Longevity of <i>Polypterus senegalus</i> in captivity can be 34 years and more (Ref. 48954).
  
  Larval fish 1.1-3.8 cm SL were found in papyrus root mat and juveniles up to 10 cm SL retaining external gills were found in fringing water hyacinth.  Feeds mainly on fishes (Ref. 9695), insects, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs as well as on plant fragments and seeds.