Glass Catfish Kryptopterus Vitreolus 5cm

Overview

The Glass Catfish is a small, almost fully transparent catfish whose skeleton and organs are visible through its body, with long barbels held forward as it hovers mid-water. It comes from slow, often tea-stained streams in peninsular and southeastern Thailand and lives in tight shoals. It suits calm, planted community tanks with small, gentle fish.

• Adult Size: Around 6.5–8 cm (2.5–3 in)
• Lifespan: 6–8 years

Origin

• Native to: Coastal river basins of Thailand
• Habitat: Slow or still, turbid or blackwater streams with vegetation

Feeding

• Diet: Carnivorous, takes small invertebrates
• Preferred Foods: Brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm, cyclops, grindal worm, micro-pellets
• Feeding Habits: Small feeds daily; live or frozen foods encourage feeding

Tank Mates

• Best with: Rasboras, small tetras, kuhli loaches, corydoras, peaceful gouramis
• Avoid: Large, boisterous or nippy fish; anything that could eat them

Aggression & Behaviour

• Temperament: Very peaceful and timid
• Territoriality: None; a shoaling species

Experience Level

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Challenges: Sensitive to poor water quality; sulks and stops feeding if kept alone

Water Parameters

• Water Type: Freshwater, soft and acidic
• Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)
• pH: 4.0–7.0
• Hardness: 1–10 dGH
• Flow: Slow to moderate
• Tank Size: Minimum 100 litres for a group of six or more

Final Notes

Buy at least six: a lone glass catfish hides, refuses food and rarely lasts. Growth is slow and the fish stays small, so the commitment is about stability rather than space. It prefers dim light, floating plants, leaf litter and tannin-stained water, and it may eat eggs and fry of other species. Sexes cannot be told apart reliably. Settled in a quiet, mature tank, a shoal shimmering in unison is a delight.