FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 5"//14"
HIT DICE: 5-7
% IN LAIR: 40%
TREASURE TYPE: J, K, L, M, N, Q, S, X (up to 3 types per individual)
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 bite
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3-12
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Entangling
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: 60%
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L (9' - 12' long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
    Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: 5 HD, IV/205 + 5/hp
    6 HD, V/350 + 6/hp
    7 HD, VI/525 + 8/hp

    The bichir inhabits marshes and thickets
along lake shores and river banks. Despite
the nickname it has acquired ("marsh lizard"),
the bichir is actually a curious creature
related to sharks and fishes. It has both
gills and a lunglike swim bladder, and must
come to the surface and gulp air at least
once every turn to survive. Giant bichirs
can also "walk" on land, although they
must keep their skin moist, and they will
never stray far from water.

    The bichir gets its nickname from its
strong pectoral fins, which it uses to stand
or walk upon (as a seal walks on its flippers,
dragging its body its behind). Often it will
stand immobile with its head raised, in the
manner of a lizard. When hunting, it moves
slowly forward like a snake, freezing momentarily
to sniff around and then move
forward again. Because its eyes are adapted
for underwater vision, it can see only 2"
ahead of itself on land (but up to 8" in
water, although muddy conditions lessen
this range). It has a keen sense of smell that
works better in the air (9" range) than
underwater (2" range). It can sense underwater
vibrations up to half a mile away.

    Bichirs prey on worms, frogs, fish, insects
(including giant species), and animals up to
the size of tall (9') humanoids. A bichir
prowls whenever it encounters something
new or unusual, and whenever it is hungry.
It can dart backward almost instantly underwater
if alarmed. When swimming
rapidly (which it can do all day, if need be)
it flattens its fins close to its body and drives
itself through the water with side-to-side
wriggling like that of an eel.

    The bichir can cast an entangle spell on
plants (not including intelligent sorts, such
as shambling mounds) up to 6" away, 6
times per day. It can do this in six consecutive
rounds if necessary, and will always
employ the power to escape from powerful
opponents or to aid in killing formidable
ones. The bichir is naturally resistant to
spells, but fears magic and will avoid or
seek to ambush creatures employing magic
in its vicinity. It does not value treasure,
and will possess only items swallowed while
devouring prey. Its favorite food is said to
be the flesh of lizard men.

    The bichir breeds whenever its swamps
are flooded (e.g., by spring run-off), males
and females travelling far to seek each other
out. The female will bear 1-3 newtlike,
feathery-gilled young 3-6 months after
mating. These young typically have AC 8,
MV 3"//14", 2-3 HD, and bite for 2-4
damage. They can entangle only three
times per day, but possess the same magic
resistance as an adult bichir.

    Bichirs look like long, thick-bodied, powerful
fish with white-fanged jaws, black
pupil-less eyes, and a camouflage brown/cream
coloration (in alternate bands on fins
and tail, darkening to black with white
mottlings on the head). They have flat
heads, smooth scales, a broad tail, a fringe
of joined finlets running along their backs,
and fan-shaped, powerufl pectoral fins.
Bichirs cannot speak, but sometimes emit a
breathy, open-mouthed panting noise,
presumably to signal or attract prey.
 

    by Ed Greenwood