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Learn how to keep the fish which outlived the dinosaurs!

With contributions from biologists, paleontologists, ecologists, veterinarians and fishers, The Bichir Handbook explores everything from the identification for all fourteen extant species of the ancient family of freshwater fishes, Polypteridae, the most comprehensive delve into their aquarium husbandry, and some of the first reconstructions of never-before-seen extinct species of bichir. Whether you’re an aquarist, scientist, or someone just interested in natural history, this book will keep you turning the pages.

Illustrated by award winning paleoartist and ichthyologist, Dorian Noël, every illustration is hand-painted to define their most  identifiable features, in the best full colour illustrations of Polypteridae to date. This beautifully crafted publication contains stunning images of these living fossils, and infographics which will have you referencing back to for years!

RRP: £24.99 (First edition, 2019) - OUT OF PRINT

ISBN 978-1789727708 (3 print runs)

210x210mm hardback, 138 pages. Dust jacket with a soft touch laminate. Comes with a FREE doubled-sided A3 poster and species checklist bookmark. 

RRP: £32.99 (Revised edition, Q2/Q3 2025)

This book includes everything from the previous edition, but also features:

• Over 40 new images.
• 1 new illustration of a 240 million year old ancestor, reconstructed by Dorian Noël.
• 5 additional infographic elements.
• Over 20 new pages of content; covering breeding, hybridisation, rare colour morphs, how bichirs were discovered, their ancient ancestry, and more!
• There is also some minor changes/additions reflecting the latest science in existing pages throughout the book and the poster too.

Yes, you still get a FREE doubled-sided poster and a species checklist bookmark with every copy ordered!

210x210mm hardback. Dust jacket with a soft touch laminate. [ISBN number and final pagination TBC].

First edition of The Bichir Handbook sold out after 3 print runs in January 2023, but we are printing a revised edition for release in the second or third quarter of 2025, which you can now order.

We post from the UK, so unfortunately shipping outside of Europe can be high; we have kept the book's price low to offset some of this cost. Some people like to do group orders to one address to save on postage cost (contact us on the website's messaging form for shipping quotes of 5 copies or more). Others like to request their local aquatic or book shop to import copies.

If you know or are a retailer who would like to stock The Bichir Handbook, please get in touch for bulk/retail discounts.