Glass catfish - Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Scientific name: Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Common name: Glass catfish

Family: Siluridae

Usual size in fish tanks: 13 - 15 cm (5.12 - 5.91 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 7 - 7.5

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 8 - 18°N (142.86 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 24 - 28 °C (75.2 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: East Asia

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and feeding

Glass catfish will accept flaked foods but a treat of brine shrimp and daphnia should be added to the diet.

Origin

Glass catfish are to be found in Sumatra, Borneo and Thailand.

Sexing

Sexing these fish can be difficult; when mature the females tend to be slightly plumper.

Breeding

Cases of these fish breeding are very few; often fry are seen in the tank by accident. It is believed that dropping the temperature slightly will induce them to spawn but this has never been proven.

Lifespan

If kept happy and in optimum water conditions they are expected to live for 5-6 years.

Short description

Glass catfish do not like bare tanks. Plants must be included in the aquarium to keep them happy and they must be kept in groups. They are a peaceful species that do well in a community tank; they are also prone to be a bit skittish, so hiding places need to be provided.