The West African bichir or retropinnis bichir (Polypterus retropinnis), is a freshwater fish in the family Polypteridae,[5] is found in the central Congo River basin and Ogooué River in Africa.

[7] The West African bichir has an elongated cylindrical body with a maximum length of 34 cm (13 in).

It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by having jaws that are about the same length, and in living specimens, having creamy-white irises speckled with black.

The dorsal and caudal fins are pale beige with dark marks in rows, and black blotches at the base of the spines.

It will feed on small to medium-sized vertebrates and invertebrates, eating anything it can fit into its mouth.