Family: Mastacembelidae
Baim (big) — a Mastacembelidae from Central and North America. Reaches 67.5–99 cm; keep at 22–28 °C.
Mastacembelus armatus, a member of the family Mastacembelidae, comes from Central and North America, where it inhabits warm freshwater streams and lakes. Peaceful community fish and omnivore; quality prepared foods, it grows to 67.5–99 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 22–28 °C range. Other Mastacembelus species in our database include Mastacembelus erythrotaenia.
Intermediate difficulty. Peaceful community fish; small groups recommended.
Hold 22–28 °C and keep it stable — 22–28 °C recorded range. Stable temperature matching the species origin.
Full size is 67.5–99 cm. Minimum tank: 500 L, with open swimming space along its middle of the water column habits.
Omnivore; quality prepared foods. It forages naturally over fine sand and gravel, so let some food reach the bottom.
Peaceful community fish; small groups recommended. Good company: Similar-sized peaceful community fish — Similar size and water needs. Keep away from Much smaller fish — May outcompete or bully tiny tankmates.
Native to Central and North America, where it lives in warm freshwater streams and lakes. Still to gentle current; Moderate oxygen levels.
Jumping is not a known issue; cover the tank anyway during water changes.
In the aquarium: not documented in home aquaria. Subtle external differences.