What's in the book?

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!

Includes a free poster which features the family tree of all known Polypteriformes and how they relate to each other, and on the other side, an illustrated version of the size comparison chart which appears inside the book.
Includes a free bookmark also doubling up as a checklist for every living species of polypterid. Tick the species you have, photograph the bookmark and upload the photo to social media for us to see!

210x210mm, 138pp, 150gsm silk paper, Cover & jacket with an anti-scuff finish.

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

The wonderful Professor Olaf Weyl from the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and the IUCN-FFSG Regional Chair for Southern Africa, who sadly passed away in November, gives his thoughts in the foreword.

Illustrated by Dorian Noël

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Award winning illustrator and ichthyologist Dorian Noël has created some of the best full colour illustrations of Polypteriformes to date. 13 Polypterus, 1 Erpetoichthys and 4 extinct bichirs, 3 unseen before!

Writeup by Emily Standen

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Writeup by Emily Standen

Professor Emily M. Standen from the Standen Lab, who raised bichirs on land, joins to write about Polypterus in science in an insightful look into her research on bichirs.

What's in the book?

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Illustrated by Dorian Noël

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Writeup by Emily Standen

Foreword by the late Olaf Weyl

Writeup by Emily Standen

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