Ornate BichirOrnate Bichir The Ornate Bichir, Polypterus ornatipinnis, is considered the most attractive of the Bichir group. It is a Lobe finned Pike, a freshwater fish originating from Africa. As with other members of the primitive Polypteridae family, the Ornate Bichir has the unique ability to survive out of water. With a lung like paired swimbladder and gills to help breathing, the Ornate Bichir can spend short periods of time on land, but must soon return to