Glass Catfish

[dwarfgourami]

I seem to have seen a lot of these in the shops this autumn, which does sort of leave me with a feeling that maybe they are being oversold, overexploited or mass produced (I know they don’t breed in a hobby tank, but maybe with hormones?), and that they might be going the same way as the dwarf gouramis, ending up with ill health and the risk of being sold to owners who can’t look after them.

So it would be really nice to have some happy stories to balance this vision of doom and gloom.

Have you kept glass catfish? Happily? For years and years? Do tell me and lighten up the gloom! Any hints on how you have kept them happy would be good, too.

I have seen them looking well and happy in two places: a public aquarium, and a pet shop in Sweden. It’s amazing how beautiful they are when they’re doing well.

 

[freddyk]

I've had nothing but good experience with these fish. I've found them to be tough and hardy and easy to keep. They like to be near well planted areas of the tank, but spend most of their time just outside in the open space, so a nice balance of open area and planted area is a good thing. They are not picky with food, live well with any fish that is relatively calm and not big enough to eat them, and of course should be kept in groups for the best results. I wouldn't put even a small a group in anything less then a 30 gallon tank.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I've had nothing but good experience with these fish. I've found them to be tough and hardy and easy to keep. They like to be near well planted areas of the tank, but spend most of their time just outside in the open space, so a nice balance of open area and planted area is a good thing. They are not picky with food, live well with any fish that is relatively calm and not big enough to eat them, and of course should be kept in groups for the best results. I wouldn't put even a small a group in anything less then a 30 gallon tank.

Nice to hear!

 

[steelhealr]

These fish by reputation are considered 'delicate'. However, with the right condtions and good water husbandry, you can keep them. I have three going on more than a year and a few months now. I would NOT l able them, overall, as hardy. Things that help, IMO are:

• keep them in groups
• they benefit by an area of current
• good water condtions and consistency with water changes
• varied diet and make sure the food hits the current so they have access to it

SH

 

[dwarfgourami]

These fish by reputation are considered 'delicate'. However, with the right condtions and good water husbandry, you can keep them. I have three going on more than a year and a few months now. I would NOT l able them, overall, as hardy. Things that help, IMO are:

• keep them in groups
  
• they benefit by an area of current
  
• good water condtions and consistency with water changes
  
• varied diet and make sure the food hits the current so they have access to it
  

SH

Thanks. That sounds like what I've read elsewhere. They are lovely-looking things, but don't fit into my current plans. Maybe one day.... Nice to hear that some have found good homes, anyway.

 

[The-Wolf]

I hate this kind of general common name.
what species of glass catfish are you asking about?

I'm gonna go with the most common one Kryptopterus bicirrhis
which need a fast flow in the tank (simulates natural enviroment)
also needs to be kept in large groups; 10 is recomended but 6 at least.
as they will reach 15cm (6") they need a large tank.

I have 6 healthy and "happy" K.bicirrhis and have had for nearly 18months now. The only problem I've found with them is they are suceptable to fungal infections when transported but once settled they are very hardy.

 

[dwarfgourami]

I hate this kind of general common name.
what species of glass catfish are you asking about?

You are quite right; it was sloppy of me. And me a professional Latinist at that!

Yes, I did mean the kryptopterus biccirrhis. I've read up the usual textbook stuff about them- size, keep in groups, like current, timid etc, the sort of thing you find in the handbooks- but there's nothing like getting the personal experience straight from somebody who's actually kept them.

 

[steelhealr]

Actually, I was under the impression that the most common glass catfish that is stocked at lfs' is Kryptoperus minor and not K. bicirrhus. K. bicirrhus grows to up to 6 inches. Comments? SH

 

[The-Wolf]

coments... erm
perhaps I should've had said
most commonly sold in the UK

 

[dwarfgourami]

Well, I'm learning more about my ignorance here. My tropical A-Z actually seems to list bicirrhis as a synonym to minor, so I assumed it was one of those Latin names that had been changed, particularly as I could only find minor in Baensch.

 

[The-Wolf]

ok here is the fish that I know are sold labled as "glass catfish"
all taxas given are current 'valid as' to the best of my knowlage
all common names are the most commonly used one after "glass catfish"

Kryptopterus bicirrhis Glass catfish
Kryptopterus minor Ghost catfish
Pareutropius debauwi Debauwi Catfish
those are the most often seen in the trade (here in UK anyway)

Pareutropius buffei African Glass Catfish
Pareutropius longifilis Dande
Parailia congica Congo Glass Catfish

 

[dwarfgourami]

ok here is the fish that I know are sold labled as "glass catfish"
all taxas given are current 'valid as' to the best of my knowlage
all common names are the most commonly used one after "glass catfish"

Kryptopterus bicirrhis Glass catfish
Kryptopterus minor Ghost catfish
Pareutropius debauwi Debauwi Catfish
those are the most often seen in the trade (here in UK anyway)

Pareutropius buffei African Glass Catfish
Pareutropius longifilis Dande
Parailia congica Congo Glass Catfish

Thanks. I knew about the African ones, but not about the difference between ghost and glass catfish. So how much difference is there between bicirrhis and minor?

 

[The-Wolf]

So how much difference is there between bicirrhis and minor?

bascially size is the key difference and temp range too
Kryptopterus minor 6.8 cm 24 – 28°C pH range: 6 – 8
Kryptopterus bicirrhis 15.0 cm 21 – 26°C pH range: 6 – 8

 

[dwarfgourami]

So how much difference is there between bicirrhis and minor?

bascially size is the key difference and temp range too
Kryptopterus minor 6.8 cm 24 – 28°C pH range: 6 – 8
Kryptopterus bicirrhis 15.0 cm 21 – 26°C pH range: 6 – 8

Thanks.

 

[bunjiweb]

I've had a group for a long time now, I started with 6 and now have 5 as one died from unknown causes.

Never really had a problem with them, they love to be in groups, i wouldnt have any less than the 5 i currently have, but if i am advising always reccomend as many as you can fit in your tank.

Mine feed best on bloodworm (dried or frozen) but take tetra prima granules quite happily.

And as said, they have always seemed pretty hardy as long as water conditions are stable. Mine have spawned twice as I have seen my biggest female carrying eggs, but nothing has ever come of it. maybe if i put them in their own tank i could raise fry....

Ben