I know this thread was a while ago, but I pronounce it Bi-sher.
I thought for a few years they were lizards...It's funny if you go to most Petsmart's or Petco's in my area no matter how you pronounce Bichir, Biker, Bicher they didn't know what I was talking about. Most never heard of the Polypterus lol. I actually was one of those people a few years ago lol.
Well I can't say your too far off. Lol they do kind of remind me of legless lizards. Ik there's a specie of skink that kinda looks similar too, really long skinny body with tiny lil stubby legs, can't really remember what it was called tho lol.I thought for a few years they were lizards...