Ghost Catfish — a Siluridae from Thailand, SE Asia, calm and unobtrusive by day, busy by night. Reaches 4.9–7.2 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
4.9–7.2 cm
Minimum tank
62 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Calm and unobtrusive by day, busy by night
Origin
Thailand, SE Asia
Species overview
A Siluridae species native to Thailand, SE Asia: Kryptopterus vitreolus lives bottom-dwelling over slow rivers and lakes. Calm and unobtrusive by day, busy by night. Adults reach 4.9–7.2 cm. It is one of the aquarium-kept Kryptopterus species we profile, alongside Kryptopterus bicirrhis.
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
Frequently asked questions
Is Ghost Catfish easy to keep?
Difficulty: moderate. Calm and unobtrusive by day, busy by night. Pairs for the small species; solitaries for the big.
What temperature and water chemistry does Ghost Catfish need?
Aim for 21–26 °C. Stable temperate range; 21.0–26.0 °C typical for the genus.
How big does Ghost Catfish get, and what tank size?
Adults reach 4.9–7.2 cm; it is bottom-dwelling. Plan for at least 62 litres.
What does Ghost Catfish eat?
Eats anything that sinks; balance protein and greens. Feed two small meals a day rather than one large one.
Can Ghost Catfish live with other fish?
Calm and unobtrusive by day, busy by night. Recommended tankmates: Mid-water schooling fish — Use the space catfish ignore. Avoid Fast surface feeders — Leave nothing for the bottom.
Where does Ghost Catfish come from?
Comes from Thailand, SE Asia: slow rivers and lakes. Expect still to gentle current and moderate.
How does Ghost Catfish breed?
Cave or pit spawner; guarding varies by species. Hard to distinguish.