Glass Catfish - Kryptopterus Bicirrhis

Origin:

Type locality is given simply as ‘Java, Indonesia’, and this species is currently understood to occur throughout much of Southeast Asia including major river systems in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Peninsular Malaysia plus the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Java.

Tank Setup:

An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 x 45 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered. Décor is relatively unimportant although this species prefers weakly-lit conditions and may become skittish in the absence of cover.

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 20-28 °C
• pH: 6.0 – 7.5
• Hardness: 36 – 268 ppm

Diet:

Chiefly a predator feeding on crustaceans, invertebrates and smaller fishes in nature, although there should be no need to use such live foods in captivity.

Offer a varied diet comprising sinking dried foods, live and frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, etc., and perhaps the occasional small earthworm.

Behavioural Traits:

Generally peaceful though it may predate on smaller fishes and is somewhat timid so does not compete well with much larger, robust or otherwise boisterous species.

Tank Mates: 

Peaceful, comparably-sized cyprinids, loaches and other catfishes perhaps constitute the best options but be sure to research your choices thoroughly prior to purchase.