Ornate Bichir Size Discrepancy

[mswizzle]

I've read in multiple places, including on this website, that an Ornate Bichir can reach sizes from 24-28 inches. However, I've scoured the internet looking for examples of Ornates of that size. The biggest I've seen is a self proclaimed 21 inch Bichir on Youtube (it looks 18" max to me).

Does anyone have any proof that Ornates can actually reach the sizes claimed in the aquarium? Even in the wild?

 

[litigator666]

I have a 23-24 inch ornate. big and bulky. That's a male so if it's a female, it would have been bigger considering that all pairs that ive seen of bichir have males that are always smaller.

 

[Troy1015]

In my experience ornates gets past 20 in the hobby in the wild who knows

 

[kno4te]

Seen a 24 inch posted in a poly fb group. It’s possible for sure.

 

[kno4te]

It was a cb as well.

 

[Vancouver_98683]

Ornates in the aquaria can easily reach 20" wiith time, but anything larger is very rare. Most Captives stay closer to this 18-20" threshhold.

As for Wild Caughts. Based on hobbyists of old whom dealt with people out in the fields catching polypterids (fishermen). 24" +/- does happen, but not much larger than that. Or...... possibly monster specimen sizes haven't been paid attention to due to human consumption purposes.

The majority of the 22"-24"+ specimens are overseas. Due to english not being the first language. Conducting a Google search "largest ornate bichir in the world" will not pull up, lol.... They're featured on occasion w/ facebook, personal blogs in their language, Instagram, pictagram, etc., or not at all.

* Pic 1 - this looks to be 22"+ at least. The fisherman spaced out fingers likely equate to 3". Run that long the ornates body. Then this specimen minimally becomes a 22-24" fish imo.

* Video 1 - belongs to Jerry Teo. Filmed 2009. Ornate(s) in the video are 62cm (24")

* Video 2 - is when the ornate sadly passed a year later. The polypterid is measured and clearly seen it is 62cm at the end.

So, after viewing the materals below. What are your opinions? For me It is likely that they can reach larger than 24"+ or closer to 28" number or even 30" in an optimal environment. Just my opinion.

 

[Vancouver_98683]

Somebody needs to ask these guys if they've seen some monster 24"+ ornates

 

[Burbotman]

Vancouver as usual some good information for this thread. One would wonder with all of the captive breeding if that is restricting potential size on what is in the market now.

Here is my old ornate. Pic with a tape for reference 23" (no exaggerated 18"er)

 

[Hao]

King-eL's 24" CB Ornate.

 

[Burbotman]

King-eL's 24" CB Ornate.

View attachment 1284204

Simply awesome-- any idea if it was male or female? My big ornate was male.