Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis)

Family: Siluridae

Glass Catfish — a Siluridae from 中北美洲, calm and unobtrusive by day, busy by night. Reaches 11.2–16.5 cm; pairs for the small species; solitaries for the big. 21–26 °C.

Care parameters

Water temperature
21–26 °C
pH
6.5–7.5
GH hardness
5–15 dGH
Adult length
11.2–16.5 cm
Minimum tank
327 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Calm and unobtrusive by day, busy by night
Origin
中北美洲

Species overview

Siluridae species Kryptopterus bicirrhis comes from 中北美洲. A whiskered bottom resident whose day begins when the lights go off. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 11.2–16.5 cm. Pairs for the small species; solitaries for the big. Feed sinking foods after lights-out, keep the sand soft, and never let nitrate climb unnoticed. Maintain 21–26 °C at pH 6.5–7.5. Undemanding once its core needs are met.

Native biotope

Habitat
Slow rivers and lakes
Flow
Still to gentle current
Dissolved O₂
Moderate

Aquascape & hardware

Substrate
Sand and mud
Hardscape
Large hiding structures
Plants
Sparse

Temperament, diet & tankmates

Schooling
Pairs for the small species; solitaries for the big
Diet
Eats anything that sinks; balance protein and greens
Recommended tankmates
  • Mid-water schooling fish — Use the space catfish ignore
Avoid keeping with
  • Fast surface feeders — Leave nothing for the bottom

Breeding & notes

Sexual dimorphism
Hard to distinguish
Breeding method
Cave or pit spawner; guarding varies by species