Glass Catfish

 Genus name: Kryptopterus Bicirrhis

Also known as: Ghost Catfish, Ghostfish

Distribution:  Thailand, Java, Sumatra, Borneo

Length:  up to 4" (10cm)

Minimum Tank Length:  18" (45cm)

Water Temperature: 70-79F (21-26C)

Diet: Worms, insects, crustaceans, dried food

Water: fairly soft and slightly acidic

Lives in: upper and middle layer of the aquarium

Breeding:  unknown in home aquariums

Community Tank

The Glass Catfish is scaleless and very strongly compressed, and the backbone and other internal organs are clearly visible.  In fact, the Glass Catfish is one of the most transparent of all tropical fishes.

There is a pair of long barbels on the upper jaw of the Glass Catfish, and these can be extended forwards.  The dorsal fin consists of only a single ray, and there is no adipose fin.  In general, the body of the Glass Catfish is highly iridescent and the actual colour seen depends upon the angle of the light.

The Glass Catfish is a delicate fish.  It swims mostly in the upper and middle layers of the aquarium, with the body positioned obliquely and the head turned upward.  The tail constantly moves from side to side.

The Glass Catfish can be kept in an aquarium with patches of vegetation where they can hide, although they do like to swim in the open water as well.  They should be kept in a small shoal, as Glass Catfish do like company of their own kind.  If one is kept on its own it will soon languish.

There are no obvious differences between the male and female Glass Catfish, and they are not known to breed in home aquariums.