10e. Catfishes from Asia - Aquarium Glaser GmbH

10e. Catfishes from Asia (48)

Pseudolaguvia muricata

22. May 2023

In recent years many highly interesting catfish species ideally suited for aquaristics have been discovered from Asia and imported for aquarists.

The first species of the genus Pseudolaguvia were described already in 1927, but only recently it was recognized that this is a very species-rich genus of dwarf catfishes, which usually grow only about 2-3 cm long. Thus, from 1927 until 2013 only four species were described, since then 21 (!) new species were added!

Typical for Pseudolaguvia is a sucking apparatus on the ventral side. The species live in streams and small rivers, which usually have fine sand as substrate. Here the dwarf catfishes can be found among decaying plant remains (detritus).

Once again we could import Pseudolaguvia muricata from North Bengal in India. These cute animals grow to a length of about 2.5-3 cm and are thus perfectly suited for keeping in small aquariums, especially since they are not very fond of swimming. The aquarium for Pseudolaguvia should have a fine sandy bottom. Additionally, add some dead leaves to the aquarium. They eat all common fish food, as long as it fits into their mouth. Pseudolaguvia are completely peaceful towards conspecifics and alien fish, also plants are not damaged.

There are rather dark, slender fish and somewhat lighter colored, stronger specimens. Perhaps this is a sex difference. Nothing is known about reproduction, but it can be assumed that the little animals attach their eggs, similar to armored catfishes, to plants etc. without further brood care. Care is best at room temperature, the water in their natural habitat is soft and neutral. Especially important are two things: low germ water and low food competition, because the Pseudolaguvia are slow eaters and easily get short.

For our customers. the animals have code 445425 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Lexicon: Pseudolaguvia: means “false Laguvia”: Laguvia is another genus of catfish. muricata: means “spiny like a murex snail”.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudeutropius moolenburghae

20. February 2023

From Indonesia we received the interesting catfish Pseudeutropius moolenburghae. This shoaling fish, which grows to a maximum length of 10 cm, is very similar in behavior to the well-known glass catfish Kryptopterus vitreolus (formerly known as K. bicirrhis), but is slimmer, livelier and above all has eight long barbels, while the glass catfish has only two.

In the aquarium, these blackwater fish should be acclimated carefully, because from the wild they know practically no bacterial water pollution. Their home are the river systems Batang Hari on Sumatra and Kapuas on Borneo, from where many popular aquarium fish come. As company are suitable e.g. mouth-breeding fighting fish, Rasbora species, coolie loaches etc.. Under no circumstances should these delicate catfish be kept along with bullies such as tiger barbs. Pseudeutropius moolenburghae eat all common ornamental fish food, they are not interested in plants. A dimly furnished tank with Cryptocoryne bushes, floating ferns on the surface and dead leaves on the bottom is ideal. Soft, acidic water corresponds to natural conditions, but is not necessary for long-term maintenance. The water temperature should be 24-28°C.

For our customers: the animals have code 445503 on our stock list. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hara hara/Erethistes pusillus

19. September 2022

In India live two species of moth catfishes, which are practically impossible to distinguish in living condition. They are nevertheless sometimes even assigned to two different genera: Hara and Erethistes. The difference between the two genera lies in the structure of the vertebral body, that is, of something invisible in the living animal; according to many ichthyologists, this is not enough to distinguish two genera, and then all moth catfishes would have to be assigned the generic name Erethistes, since this is older and has priority. The difference between the species Hara hara ( = Erethistes hara) and Erethistes pusillus is only in the way the front of the pectoral fin spine is spined. In Erethistes pusillus the spines on the front of the pectoral fin spine are two pointed, in Hara hara ( = Erethistes hara) only one pointed. By the way, the animals are called moth catfishes, because their coloration and the broadly extending pectoral fins remind of night butterflies.

So you have to look at the pectoral fin spine in high magnification and back light to be sure which of the two species you have in front of you. But this does not mean that all specimens of the import belong to this species, because Hara hara ( = Erethistes hara) and Eretisthes pusillus occur in the same distribution area and are often caught and exported together. In the trade we have not yet found a practicable method to distinguish the two species with certainty and therefore we call all moth catfishes of the Erethistes/Hara group imported from India (Bengal) to us Hara hara, with the exception of the well recognizable species Hara horai ( = Erethistes horai) and H. jerdoni ( = Erethistes jerdoni).

Basically it doesn’t matter, because all species of this Erethistes/Hara group grow to 4-5 cm and are excellent, peaceful and easy to care aquarium fishes. The animals we currently have in the stock and from which the pictures accompanying this post were taken could be identified as Erethistes pusillus in four cases, in one of the animals, which otherwise could not be distinguished from the others (in total there were 7 specimens in the photo tank), the pectoral fin front edge spination corresponded to Hara hara ( = Erethistes hara).

For our customers: The animals have code 419724 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Bagrichthys macracanthus

26. August 2022

Bagrichthys macracanthus is a very interesting catfish from Southeast Asia (East Sumatra). This catfish reaches a maximum length of about 20 cm. In nature it lives in calm river sections. Among themselves, especially the males are quite incompatible, in pairs or in groups of a male with a surplus of females maintained, however, the species gets along quite well with conspecifics. Sexually mature animals (from about 15 cm) can be sexually differentiated very well, because the males have an unusually long, penis-like urogenital papilla; in females the urogenital papilla is small and inconspicuous. But even in younger animals, females can already be easily recognized by their taller body shape. Juveniles up to about 5 cm in length are not yet pure black, but have light colored bands (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/bagrichthys-macracanthus-2/).

Bagrichthys macracanthus – in the trade they are called “Black Lancers” – are peaceful towards fishes of other species, but tankmates should not be much smaller than about a quarter of the length of the Black Lancer, otherwise they could end up as food. Bagrichthys macracanthus is nocturnal and needs cave hiding places during the day to feel comfortable. For feeding the animals leave their hiding places also during the day. Every usual fish food is eaten. The chemical composition of the water is unimportant, the water temperature should be between 24 and 28°C.

For our customers: the animals have code 368482 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Chandramara chandramara

25. July 2022

In 1822, the most comprehensive book on the fish life of the Ganges River in India to date was published. The author was the Scottish physician Francis Hamilton, who was in the service of the East Indian Company. Hamilton had detailed drawings made of all the fish species he found in the Ganges. His draftsman – Haludar, a young Bengal – was honored for his extraordinary achievements 200 years later and immortalized: the melon barbs have the generic name Haludaria since 2013. Among the many species Hamilton discovered were two small catfish species that Hamilton named Pimelodus chandramara and Pimelodus rama. To this day, these two species remain virtually unknown from a scientific perspective.

These catfishes – their current names are Chandramara chandramara and Rama rama – remain small (around 5-6 cm), prefer to swim in open water and are diurnal. They are very droll and funny aquarium inhabitants that are completely peaceful against tankmates and disregard plants. They are social animals that are best kept in groups of 10-20 specimens. Any common ornamental fish food will be accepted. The water temperature can be between 16 and 26°C. It is favorable to offer different temperatures during the year, cool in winter, warm in summer. As company are suitable e.g. zebra danios (Danio rerio), rosy barbs (Pethia conchonius) and dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia), which all occur in the same habitat. Any drinking water is suitable for the maintenance of the above species.

We have also made a small film about these fish, which you can watch here: https://www.facebook.com/AquariumGlaser/videos/462226828567211.

For our customers: the animals have code 409002 on our stock list. Please note that we supply only wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Akysis prashadi

4. February 2022

The range of small, peaceful catfishes from Asia is much smaller than from South America, but they do exist. Moth catfishes (Hara, Erethistes) for low flow aquariums and wasp catfishes (Akysis) for tanks with more flow are becoming increasingly popular.

Akysis get their name “wasp catfish” from the most famous species, Akysis vespa, whose sting with the poisonous pectoral fin spines really hurts. But also the other species (there are 24 accepted and scientifically described species so far) can sting nasty, therefore caution is required when catching them. But the small catfishes never attack actively!

Akysis prashadi belongs to the longest known species of the genus, the maximum 6-7 cm long fish was already scientifically described in 1936. It originates from Burma, where it lives endemically (i.e. only there) in the tributaries of Lake Indawgyi. Care is unproblematic, any common fish food is readily accepted. The animals like to bury themselves in fine sand, if the possibility exists. Akysis are egg layers, they do not practice brood care. Due to their origin the fish can be kept very well at room temperature, the temperature should not exceed 25°C permanently.

For our customers: the fish have code 362352 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Kryptopterus vitreolus

13. September 2021

The common glass or ghost catfish, Kryptopterus vitreolus, has been swimming in numerous aquariums around the world for decades, albeit mostly under the misnomer K. bicirrhis (see https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/a_new_name_for_the_ghost_glass_catfish_kryptopterus_vitreolus_en for details). We have the animal practically always in the stock.

One of the absolute routine measures in the everyday care of the fish is to examine it regularly in the beam of a strong flashlight for possible disease. In this context, one of our keepers, Martin Möller (who has a degree in biology), made the discovery that under certain light incidence, the glass catfish show a distinctly colorful iridescence. This is basically the same effect of light refraction that leads to the formation of rainbows. However, it is not easy to capture it photographically, because the interaction of light and movement of the fish must fit absolutely. After many unusable pictures, however, we finally succeeded in depicting the Möller effect. Fascinating, to say it with Mr. Spock!

For our customers: the animals have code 422005 on our stock list. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Bagrichthys macracanthus

7. May 2021

We have received juveniles of the “Black Lancer” from Indonesia. The adult fish is pitch black with a white caudal fin and a narrow white horizontal stripe running along the middle of the body. The stripe begins below the dorsal fin and extends into the caudal peduncle.

The 4-6 cm juveniles of this up to 20 cm long animal look quite similar in places, but some have white markings on the body; however, they can turn these on and off depending on their mood. In the case of a Bagrichthys macracanthus juvenile, which appears black to the naked eye, the lighter banding does show up in the strong light of the flash.

For more information about this highly interesting catfish see: https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/bagrichthys_macracanthus_en/

For our customers: the animals have code 368482 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Glyptothorax cf. housei

14. April 2021

The belly sucker catfishes (Glyptothorax) are almost unknown in aquaristics. It is a very species-rich group (over 100 accepted plus probably still numerous undescribed species) of mostly small, current-loving catfishes. The extremely sparse care experiences with these catfishes show that they are (as with many stream fishes) sensitive animals, which tolerate neither stronger organic pollution nor the accompanying bacterial load. In other words: the largest possible, well acclimated, vigorously filtered and sparsely stocked aquariums are the basic prerequisite for the long-term successful care of these fish.

Concerning the compatibility it is to be said that neither other species nor conspecific fish are bothered. As flowing water inhabitants they are adapted to sandy substrate (in which they also sometimes burrow) with larger stones. Chemical water composition is incidental, but remember that hard, alkaline water provides more favorable living conditions for many bacteria than soft, acidic water. Therefore, because of their sensitivity to bacterial infections, we recommend soft to medium hard water and a pH between 6 and 7. These fish are also demanding in terms of diet. Dry food and granulates are hardly accepted, at least not during acclimation. Preferably live food is given (white mosquito larvae and adult Artemia are ideal for hygienic reasons, but the animals also like to eat Tubifex and red mosquito larvae, plus mayfly larvae and various small crustaceans), later the animals also take frozen food.

From South India (Kerala) we have now received 2-3 cm long juveniles of a Glyptothorax species, which is tricky to determine. Unfortunately all Glyptothorax from Kerala have to be considered as endangered species, because the distribution areas are small and pollution by industry and agriculture is increasing everywhere; the few specimens caught for aquaristsics do not pose a threat to the free-living population, that much can be considered as certain.

But which species have we imported? Of the Glyptothorax species reported from South India so far, G. lonah, G. trewavasae, G.poonaensis, G. elankadensis, G. davissinghi and G. annadalei can be excluded because they have a completely different pattern, while G. madraspatanus, G. malabarensis, G. anamaliensis and G. housei roughly correspond to our animals in terms of body coloration. Since we received only juveniles (all mentioned species grow to about 10 cm) we decided to call them G. cf. housei for the time being, to which they correspond most closely in coloration at present.

For our customers: the animals have code 418053 on our stocklist. Please note that we supply exclusively to wholesalers. Only a few specimens available!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Chaca bankanensis “Sumatra”

3. March 2021

This week we received a good number of the interesting frogmouth catfishes of the species Chaca bankanensis from Sumatra. In contrast to the rather reddish animals we could import earlier (https://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/fish-archives/chaca_bankanensis_en/), this time they are rather brown-black colored, probably an origin-related color characteristic.

Very interesting is that some animals have striking white colored eyes. At first we thought of a mechanical injury or a parasite, but both do not seem to apply, because in all corresponding animals both eyes are equally affected. In the macrophotography we can also see well that only the upper half of the iris is white, the pupil and the lower half of the iris, however, are sharply demarcated. Presumably this is a characteristic that sexually active males show, this seems to us at least the most plausible explanation of the phenomenon. Externally recognizable sexual characteristics are not yet known with certainty in Chaca, but in the top view of a presumed pair one recognizes quite well the possible sex differences (head width, ventral fins).

For our customers: the animals have code 408253 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Acrochordonichthys rugosus

3. May 2019

If this catfish came from South America, then one would count it without question to the banjo catfish. But in reality, Acrochordonichthys rugosus comes from Southeast Asia, where it is widespread and science has known about it for a long time, but from where it is only rarely exported as an aquarium fish. A special feature of the fish is that it is polychromatism, i.e. there are many different patterns within the same population. This is neither a sexual characteristic nor a question of age, but simply individual. Since Acrochordonichthys rugosus has only small, barely functional eyes and is strictly nocturnal in nature and lives hidden in dead leaves in dark waters, it can be assumed that the colouring plays no role for the intraspecific communication of these fish.

In behaviour A. rugosus resembles the banjo catfish. Often the fish rest for hours and days at the same spot. If the keeper is then worried and pushes the animals to see if they are still alive, they show the same defensive behaviour as the banjo catfish do: they place the tail fin at the tip of the snout. The close relationship of the banjo catfish (Aspredinidae) and the moth catfish (Akysidae), to which A. rugosus belongs, is obvious, but South America and Southeast Asia have already separated 100 million years ago and in Africa in between there is no catfish known that is closely related to the two groups. Amazing!

When transporting A. rugosus one should be a little careful. Strongly stressed animals can secrete a milky secretion from a gland, which at least has a poisonous effect on some fish and can possibly be fatal in the comparatively small water volume of the transport bag. However, there is no observation of deaths in community aquariums in which A. rugosus is maintained. The secretion therefore probably serves to ward off predators.

For our customers: the animals have code 361822 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudomystus funebris

4. January 2019

Again we could import a cute blackwater dwarf catfish from Indonesia, this time from Borneo. Pseudomystus funebris was only scientifically described in 2010 and is extremely similar to P. heokhuii which occurs on Sumatra. Like the latter, it reaches a total length of about 6 cm. The species is very peaceful and also constantly on the move during the day. The company of other species seems to be very important to the animals.

One maintains such animals in community tanks with peaceful other fish, with damped light, many dead leaves on the ground and a planting from Cryptocoryns, which thrive also in twilight well. Although soft and acid water is not an absolute necessity, the care of the mentioned animals and plants in such water is particularly problem-free.

For our customers: the animals have code 446492 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesalers.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Sperata acicularis

26. July 2018

The catfish of the genus Sperata can be easily identified due to the black spot in the adipose fin. Determination of the the four currently accepted species, on the other hand, is a tricky thing. Only S. seenghala, a widespread species from India, can be comparatively easily identified, because in that species the eye is positioned in the first third of the skull, at about half of the skull length in the other species. So bony structures of the skull and the foreback must be compared to identify the three remaining species, a thing impossible to do in live juveniles.

We currently could import Sperata acicularis or at least we obtained the fish under that name. But our supplier is very reliable and S. acicularis is the only species of the genus reported so far for Burma, so we have no reason to doubt.

Like all species of Sperata this catfish is a giant. The largest specimen reported so far was 180 cm long, but the usual size is 30-40 cm. As these catfish are very popular as food fish there are intentions to keep and breed them in aquaculture, but this has failed so far in a larger scale. Species of Sperata spawn in pits in the ground and guard eggs and fry.

For our customers: the fish have code 455862 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Akysis portellus

13. April 2018

The wasp catfishes (Akysis) become more and more popular in the aquarium hobby. Their common name refers to venomous glands these fishes have at the base of the dorsal and the pectoral fins. A sting by the spines of these fins is very painful, though it it is harmless; only allergy sufferers should be double cautious.

Akysis portellus attains a maximum length of about 4-5 cm. It originates from the Sittang river basin in Burma. Here it lives in smaller brooks with clear water. One should keep these very peaceful animals always in groups. The tank should contain at least some patches with fine sand for Akysis love to burry themselves from time to time.

Oxygen-rich, clear and clean water: these are the conditions for Akysis catfish, here they feel very well. The water temperature should be between 22 and 26°C, at times the water can be even cooler. Akysis portellus feed on any usual type of ornamental fish food.

For our customers: the fish have code 362373 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Bagarius suchus

9. March 2018

There are currently four species placed in the genus Bagarius, which are called devil catfish. The biggest one, which grows up to 200 cm in length, is Bagarius yarelli. It can be found in many parts of south and south-east Asia. The smallest is Bagarius bagarius, which grows up to only 15-20 cm and comes exclusively from India. We received recently once more a few pieces of Bagarius suchus, a most interesting fish! They “only” grow up to about 70 cm.

The species-specifiuc feature of B. suchus are the small humps between the dorsal and the adipose fin, which led to the popular name “crocodile devil catfish”. This species is also a predator and for sure a “must have” for fans of predatory fish; due to its calm behaviour it doesn´t need too large tanks, but one must keep in mind that this species needs oxygen-rich and almost waste-free water to thrive well.

For our customers: the fish have code 368424 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Wallagonia micropogon

7. February 2018

This is a fish like an evening in a swamp: dark and spooky. Wallagonia micropogon is a predator, anyone can see. The validity of the species W. micropogon is the subject of controversial discussion, many scientists believe that it is a synonym of Wallagonia leerii. Our specimens originate from Thailand. Currently they are small, only 7-9 cm long, and easy to handle, but one fine day they will be 1.5 m long and will weigh over 80 kg.

Wallagonia is very similar to the European Wels (Silurus glanis), but Wallagonia swims more often in the open water. Against conspecifics they are quarrelsome.

For our customers: the fish have code 475703 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hyalobagrus flavus

22. December 2017

Back in 1903 Georg Duncker from the Hamburg Museum described a small species of catfish from the Malay Peninsula under the name of Pseudobagrus ornatus. The description appeared in the same famous paper in which the harlequin barb (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) and the dwarf rasbora (Boraras maculatus) were described. In contrast to the two barbs, which are since then among the most popular aquarium fishes from Southeast Asia at all, the dwarf-cats remained almost unknown. This is very sad, as Hyalobagrus (this is the genus the species are currently placed in) make perfect aquarium fish, very nice and absolutely peaceful. They like to school with conspecifics. Hyalobagrus are not bottom dwellers in the strict sense of the word, but prefer to swim in the open water. There are currently three accepted species in Hyalobagrus which differ mainly in details of coloration. We were able to import once more Hyalobagrus flavus from Sumatra (Jambi) now; this species has also a population in southern Borneo.

Hyalobagrus are perfect tankmates for small blackwater fishes like barbs, labyrinth fishes and kuhli loaches. Moreover they should be comparatively easy to breed in the aquarium. Ripe females can be easily recognized by the greenish eggs that are visible through the translucent belly. One should be careful when catching the fish, for they have strong serrations on the pectoral spines which can cause a desastrous tangle in the net.

For our customers: the fish have code 421692 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hemibagrus wyckioides

21. June 2017

The large predatory catfish from South and Southeast Asia are a very complex group from a scientific point of view. Although they are large and impressing fish (up to 130 cm long and a weight of 70-80 kg) and of some interest as food fish, the species can be told apart often only with big difficulties.

Now we received charming babies of a species of Hemibagrus. According to our supplier the fish have been bred and the breeder is sure that his fish belong to the red-tailed species H. wyckioides (natural distribution: basins of the Mekong and the Chao Phraya). There is s second species known, which s very similar, that lives more western: H. microphthalmus. This species – it stays a bit smaller – has a black caudal find. Our babies have still a colourless caudal fin, so we can´t do anything than believe the breeder. But we have selected some specimens to grow them and to see what will become of them.

These giants are suited only for owners of really large aquaria. In tanks of normal dimensions one can keep only juveniles for a short time, as the fish grow very fast. Keeping them is easy; they need a great amount of food. However, these catfish feed virtually on anything that fits the mouth and is of animalic origin. Youngsters are quite social animals, but this changes when the fish grow up.

For our customers: the fish have code 421351 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Chaca chaca

17. June 2017

These catfish have their funny name due to the fact that they make croaking sounds when taken out of the water. These sounds are decribed onomatopoeicly as „chaca“ by the natives. Usually Chaca chaca is imported from Bengal; the species is pretty common, but only seldom available, as it is not eaten by the local people. The up to 15-20 cm long animals are considered to be to ugly to be eaten and some people also think that the meat is poisonous. Moreover the fish is feared, because one can easily step on it when it is burrowed in the sand. Then the dorsal spine stings; this is most probably not venomous, but inflicts nevertheless nasty wounds which can become easily infested by bacteria.

Chaca are sit-and-wait hunters and do not move during daytime unless it is absolutely necessary. The small skin lappets are used as bait for potential prey. The fish lies moveless and imitates a stone covered with algae. When a small fish or a shrimp tries to feed from these algae an enormous mouth opens and thats it. Chaca chaca is able to swallow fish up the half size of their own body length. When Chaca chaca is very well settled in the aquarium it also swims around in the night and searches for food actively.

One should keep Chaca chaca in tanks with sandy bottom and dead leaves. Some peaceful and quiet other fish are recommended as company. Of course they have to be large enough not be swallowed. These companions help to show the keeper that the water chemistry in the tank is fine, for Chaca will usually not show any signs of indisposition until it is too late. Although it does not fit geographically at all: angels (Pterophyllum) are good company for Chaca.

For our customers: the fish have code 408301 (6-8 cm) and 408303 (10-14 cm) on our stocklist. Please note thta we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Ompok pinnatus

12. July 2016

For the first time ever we obtained this absolutely unusual glass catfish from Thailand. At the first glimpse the enormous long barbels take the attention of the observer. This catfish has been described only in 2003 as Ompok pinnatus. If one compares O. pinnatus with the other species of Ompok we imported recently (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/ompok-cf-fumidus_en_1594.html and http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=1423), O. pinnatus looks vey different and reminds one rather in a typical glass catfish (Kryptopterus). O. pinnatus also behave like a Kryptopterus. And the good news for hobbyists: O. pinnatus stays small, maximum length reported is about 8-9 cm. This catfish is very peaceful, but very small fish will be be taken for food.

All in all Ompok pinnatus is a very interesting addition for the aquarium hobby. Males and females can be distinguished by the pectoral fin spines. In males these spines are serrated, smooth in young fish and females. Due to the enormous beard these glass cats wear (only the Indonesian sister taxon Ompok eugeneiatus has comparatively long barbels) we suggest „walrus glass catfish“ as a common name for the species.

For our customers: the animals have code 439823 on or stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudomystus heokhuii

29. February 2016

This
pretty species of bumblebee catfish was discovered and scientifically
described only in 2008. We could import the species now for the first
time ever. P. heokhuii becomes about 6 cm long and is a very peaceful
species of catfish.

Despite
the fact that Pseudomystus heokhuii inhabits extreme blackwater
habitats in the wild, where the pH is around 3.5 -4.5 they adapt very
well to different water conditions. The females develop spawn and even
in the phototank the male showed courtship behaviour. So it seems that
this pretty bumblebee catfish will even breed in aquaria.

For our customers: the fish have code 446483 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Hara jerdoni

27. January 2016

Currently
is the high season for the interesting moth cats (Hara). These catfish
occur in India, Burma, and Thailand. The species are very difficult to
tell apart, in many cases it is simply impossible in live animals. There
are a few species that can be determined by a filament on the caudal
fin, but most of the species are extremely similar looking.

One
exception of that rule is Hara jerdoni. This tiny species attains only a
length of 2-3 cm and has very, very long pectoral fin spines. In some
swimming positions it really looks like a passenger airplane.

Due
to the fact that Hara in general do not swim a lot all species can be
kept in small tanks. Moth catfish are very peaceful against conspecifics
and other fish.

For our customers: Hara jerdoni has code 419712 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Gagata cenia

7. September 2015

The Assamese Clown Catfish is the perfect choice for all aquarists that love lively species. This catfish attains a maximum length of about 15 cm, but matures at a length of less than 7 cm. The fish is a real energy pack. It can be hardly ever found resting for a minute, it is always on the move.

Clown catfish are – as a rule – sensitive fish, because they originate from very clean, running waters. However, well settled animals are real hardy, as is shown by the specimens we currently have in stock – they are in perfect condition!

One should keep Gagata cenia always in groups, because the fish are very social. There should be a good current in the tank. The bottom should be covered with sand and some larger stones. The water temperature can lie between 18 and 26°C, the pH beween 6.5 and 8, and the hardness between 10 and 30° dGH.

For our customers: the fish have code 416002 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien / India
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Bagrichthys macracanthus

2. September 2015

Currently
we can offer a very seldom imported, unusual catfish from Southeast
Asia (eastern Sumatra): Bagrichthys macracanthus. This catfish attains a
maximum length of about 20 cm. In the wild, the species inhabits river
portions with only very low current. Against conspecifics males are
quite quarrelsome; kept by pair or in groups composed of one male and an
overhang of female specimens they are peaceful against each other.
Sexually ripe animals can be easily sexed, for the males develop a very
unusual, penis-like urogenital papilla; this papilla is normal-shaped in
females. However, females can be recognized even in much younger
specimens (ours are about 8-10 cm long) by the much deeper body.

Against
tankmates Bagrichthys macracanthus – they are called Black Lancer in
the trade – are peaceful. One should keep them not along with animals
smaller than about one quarter of the length of the Black Lancer, for
otherwise they may serve as food. Bagrichthys macracanthus is night
active and needs caves and other hiding places during the day to feel
comfortable. At feeding times the catfish leave their hiding places even
by day. They feed readily on any type of usual food used for ornamental
fishes. The chemical composition of the water is meaningless. The water
temperature should be between 24 and 28°C.

For our customers: the fish have code 368482 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Ompok bimaculatus and O. pabda

29. June 2015

Ompok
are medium sized catfish that reach a length of 15-40 cm. They are
close relatives of the only central European species of catfish, the
Wels (Silurus glanis). Ompok look quite similar to the Wels. In southern
and southeastern Asia, Ompok are favorite food fish, despite the fact
that they are comparatively small. They are called “butter catfish” due
to the very soft flesh. This makes is almost impossible to detect the
original distribution of the species, because fingerlings are sent over
wide distances for stocking fish ponds.

The
determination of species of Ompok is very difficult. A lot of species
descritions exist (currently 47), but only 27 are regarded as valid
usually. The remaining seem to be synonyms or unnecessary renamings. But
this fact nevertheless shows that there is a lot of variation in the
species and that different scientist have different points of view how
to evaluate certain characters, like coloration or body indexes. Until
ca. 1950 all described species of Ompok were seen as only one existing,
very variable species, namely O. bimaculatus.

Omopk
bimaculatus has been described already in 1794. It originates from
India. We also received our specimens from India. From India alone 21
species of Ompok have been described, but only 5 are regarded as vaild.
So the literature on Ompok from India is very confusing. The situation
becomes even worse, as O. bimaculatus is called “pabda” in India, but
Ompok pabda is a different species!

Most
probably the second species of Ompok we currently have in stock came to
Thailand for food purposes. The very long barbels and the marbled
pattern on the body fit very good to the description of Ompok pabda.

Keeping
Ompok species in aquaria is not difficult and is comparable to keeping
glass catfish (Kryptopterus). However, Ompok become much larger! Against
other fish that are not suitable to be eaten, Ompok are absolutely
peaceful and they also leave plants in the aquarium alone.

For
our customers: the fish have code 439752 (O. bimaculatus) and 439853
(O. pabda) on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the
wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Nemapteryx nenga

26. June 2015

This
beautiful “freshwater shark” reached us from India. Formerly the
species was placed in the genus Arius. Like all these Arius-relatives
Nemapteryx nenga is not a shark at all, but a catfish. N. nenga attains a
length of about 30 cm and should be kept in large aquaria only.

These
“freshwater sharks” are animals that live in the mouths of large
rivers. So they can live as well in pure freshwater and in pure
seawater. We recommend to keep them in brackish water with a salt
content of 5-10 grams per liter.

Due to the nicely shaped
dorsal fin the popular name “whimple freshwater shark” could be used. As
far as it is known all species of the Arius-relationship are
mouthbrooders. The eggs are taken by the male in the mouth until they
hatch. One should keep these pretty catfish always in groups (5-10
specimens). Singly kept specimens do not thrive very well.

For our customers: the animals have code 438322 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Hemibagrus (= Mystus) wyckii

27. November 2014

The
predatory catfishes of Asia are always a bit neglected by the
specialized hobbyists, compared with their cousins from South America.
However, Hemibagrus wyckii is a hot candidate to change this point of
view. The body is plain, pure black and only parts of the barbels and
the borders of the caudal fin are of a shining white.

For
our customers: the animals have code 437504 on our stocklist. Currently
our fish are 14-18 cm long. We have only two specimens in stock! Please
note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Mystus tengara (M. carcio)

14. November 2014

We
received the smallest of the striped catfish species from India, which
were all called formerly “Mystus vittatus”. The small species also had
to face a real mess regarding the correct naming. For a long time the
small species was called M. tengara, currently most scientists believe
that the correct name has to be M. carcio. May this be as it is: the
charming catfish attains a maximum length of only 4-6 cm and is
perfectly suited for the home aquarium.

For our customers: the fish have code 437302 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Clarias batrachus marbled

26. September 2014

Sometimes it is almost impossible to distinguish between a food fish and an ornamental fish. The marbled Clarias is, however, bred in Southeast Asia as a food fish for human consumption. It grows extremely fast, is very hardy and can survive on the market without water for many hours, because it has an accessory breathing organ.

But now and then these fish are also offered by the breeders to the ornamental fish trade. One must clearly say that these catfish grow up to 50 cm in length and eat any tankmate that fits the large mouth. Nevertheless Clarias can become nice pets and real members of the household. The become tame and show same personality. And then a food fish has become finally an ornamental fish!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-7

Kryptopterus minor

15. August 2014

The “Ghost catfish” has been kept for more than 80 years under a wrong name in our tanks. Initially it was determined as Kryptopterus bicirrhis, afterwards as K. minor. However, both determinations proofed to be wrong, the species was in fact new to science and still undescribed! Now it has a final name, ie Kryptopterus vitreolus. Please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=700 for more details of the case and pictures of K. vitreolus and the “real” K. bicirrhis.

Now we were curious how the “real” Kryptopterus minor looks like! So we ordered from one of our suppliers in Indonesia glass catfish from the Kapuas river on Borneo, where K. minor occurs. The species is in fact very similar to K. vitreolus. Especially in our fish, which have show size (up to 8 cm), the morphological differences between K. minor and K. vitreolus are hardly recognizable. But there are very obvious differences in coloration. K. minor has a bright golden-yellow back, a iridescent stripe over the anal fin and bright blue eyes.

Like Kryptopterus vitreolus K. minor lives in very soft, acidic water in the wild. However, adaptation on other water conditions is very good, as it is in cardinal tetras and other blackwater fishes. By far more important than imitating the chemical water conditions found in the wild is partial water change on a regular basis in the home aquarium. The fish simply need clean water with as few pollution and bacteria as possible.

For our customers: the animals have code 422213 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Kryptopterus: ancient Greek, means “with hidden fin”. bicirrhis: Latin, means “with two filaments”. minor: Latin, means “small”. vitreolus: Latin, means “small glass”.

Suggestion of a common name: Golden back ghost catfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Kryptopterus geminus

30. June 2014

The glass catfishes of the genus Kryptopterus are close relatives of the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis). However, in contrast to this giant among the freshwater fishes (Wels catfish can attain a length of up to 2 meteres), the glass catfishes stay small. The largest species known so far (K. cheveyi from the Mekong basin) becomes about 35 cm long. However, this species has not been imported yet for home aquaria.

The biodiversity in Kryptopterus has been discovered only recently. Currently 19 species are recognized, 7 of them have been described after the turn of the millenium. Among these late discoveries is the most common glass catfish in the hobby, Kryptopterus vitreolus, which is “the” glass catfish in pet shops all over the world. This species becomes only 6-8 cm long and has been misidentified over 80 years as K. bicirrhis or K. minor. For more informations on that topic, please see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/archiv.php?news_id=700.

Kryptopterus geminus also belongs to the late discoveries and has been described as separate species only in 2003. Before that it was thought to represent a population of Kryptopterus cryptopterus. The latter is restricted to the Malay Peninsula and Indonesia, whereas K. geminus inhabits the large river basins of the mainland of Southeast Asia: Mekong, Mae Khlong, Bang Pakong and Chao Phraya. In contrast to K. vitreolus K. geminus is less deep in body and has a strong, blue-silver tinge on the sides. K. geminus attains a maximum length of about 15-20 cm and so it fits perfectly for larger aquaria.

For our customers: the fish have code 422104 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Kryptopterus: means “with hidden fin”, this refers to the very small dorsal fin. geminus: means “twin born”, this refers to the strong resemblance to K. cryptopterus.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm	8-12

Chaca bankanensis

26. June 2014

The frogmouth catfishes of the genus Chaca are very unusual fish. Only four species are known. The look quite similar to each other and form a catfish family on their own, the Chacidae.

Chaca lie on the bottom without any move for most of the day. They wait for shrimps or small fish that take them for stones and want to feed on Aufwuchs. As soon the potential prey sits down on a Chaca and wants to start to feed, a huge mouth opens and the shrimp or fish ends up as food itself. Some species of Chaca even have small lappets on the skin that imitate algae and makes their hunting strategy even more effective.

Chaca bankanensis is a blackwater species. Usually this species s reddish brown to brick red; it has only few skin lappets.

All species of Chaca become 15-20 cm long. During acclimatization the catfish often refuses food for quite a long time. So it is best to give number of live shrimps or feeder fish in the tank and to wait. Sooner or later the Chaca will start feeding.

For our customers: the fish have code 408253 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Singapur
Verfügbare Größe in cm	15-20

Ompok cf. fumidus

12. March 2014

We don´t always get what we want. Initially we ordered the Malayan Giant Catfish Wallago leerii for one of our customers. But we received a species of Ompok from our Singapore supplier instead. However, this error is understandable. Even professional scientists have in the past confused both genera quite often and described a number of (now) Ompok-species as members of Wallago. Nevertheless the error of our supplier is an advantage for us, for Ompok are very interesting and hardly ever available catfish.

First a short note how to distinguish Wallago and Ompok: Wallago has always 5 rays in the dorsal fin, Ompok always 4. This can be easily seen on our photos.

Ompok belongs, like glass catfish (Kryptopterus), Giant Catfish (Wallago) and Wels catfish (Silurus) to the family Siluridae. Maximum length in most species of Ompok is around 15 cm, only O. bimaculatus from India is said to reach up to 45 cm.

The determination of the species is not easy in our fish, for we known nothing about the origin of our specimens. There are not less than 27 valid species of Ompok and most of them look extremely similar to each other. Nevertheless we think that our fish most likely belong to the species Ompok fumidus, which has a wide distribution over the Malaian Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Riau Island and Thailand. O. fumidus becomes only about 15 cm long (the largest reported specimen had 145 mm without the tail fin). It is usually found in shallow brooks with peat water. In our fishhouse the fish proofed to be very peaceful, but, however, small fish will serve as food.

All in all Omopok cf. fumidus is a very interesting new importation. This “Wels catfish en miniature” enables even aquarists with comparatively small tanks to keep this type of catfish.

For our customers: the fish have code 439763 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very small numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Singapur / Singapore
Verfügbare Größe in cm	10-12

Kryptopterus macrocephalus

7. March 2014

We received a shipment of very nice Striped Glass Catfish from Indonesia. The fish are currently about 5 cm long. Superficially the Glass cats resemble vey much the species Kryptopterus macrocephalus, which can attain a maximum length of about 10 cm. However, there is one puzzling phenomenon: despite the small size of our fish they are sexually distinguishable already! The males are a bit smaller and much more slender than the females. So possibly our new importation represents a so far unknown dwarf species which resembles only K. macrocephalus? Who knows….

For our customers: the fish have code 422202 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Kryptopterus: means “with hidden fin”, which refers to the very small dorsal fin in that genus. macrocephalus: means “with a large head”.

Common name: Striped Glass Catfish

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-6

Tachysurus fulvidraco

28. February 2014

We were able to import a second, beautiful Chinese catfish after Pseudobagrus trilineatus (see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/pseudobagrus-trilineatus_de_1581.html).
Trachysurus fulividraco becomes about 12-15 cm long and is a perfect catfish for larger, unheated aquaria.The species is also often placed in the genus Pelteobagrus, but the international trade name is much more interesting: Chinese highway catfish! However, the scientific name is also impressing, because “fulvidraco” means “red-golden dragon”…

For our customers: the animals have code 456323 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudobagrus trilineatus

18. February 2014

This very interesting catfish originates from China. We received our first importation of the species now. The fish become about 7.5 cm long and live endemically (= they occur nowhere else) in the Dong Jiang influence in the Chinese province of Guangdong. There is no universal agreement among ichthyologist in which genus this fish should be placed. Most of them place trilineatus in Pseudobagrus, but some in Tachysurus.

Against each other our specimens are rather peaceful, but they look for some individual distance. So one should offer a hiding place for each individual on its own in the aquarium.

It is best to keep these fish at room temperature. The tank should be furnished with sand and stones, just as it looks like in a small river or larger brook. This environment suites the catfish best. P. trilineatus are carnivorous fishes; they take readily all types of flakes, frozen or live fishfood. One should not keep them along with too small other fish, for they could be taken for food also.

For our customers: the animals have code 456333 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Pseudobagrus: means “wrong Bagrus”. Bagrus is another genus of catfish. trilineatus: means “with three lines”.

Suggestion of a common name: Golden brook catfish

Text & photo: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	China
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-7

Mystus leucophasis (formerly: Heterobagrus leucophasis)

30. January 2014

The Upside-Down-Cat from the Congo (Synodontis nigriventris, see http://www.aquariumglaser.de/en/news/Synodontis_nigriventris_finally_available_again__en/) is known by any aquarists child. But even experienced aquarists often don´t know that in Asia (in Burma) also occurs an upside down swimming species: Mystus leucophasis which can attain a maximum length of about 30 cm, but is commonly found 15-20 cm long.

The schooling instinct in our bustling juveniles, which are currently 4-6 cm long and always quarreling, is that strong that it took a lot of patience to make a photo of a solitary swimming individual. From a length of about 8-10 cm on the currently mainly pitchblack fish develop snowwhite spots on the flanks.

For our customers: the animals have code 421492 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Pseudolaguvia muricata

11. December 2013

Catfishes from Asia are sadly not “en vogue” currently. On the other hand, many new, attractive species have been discovered recently, which are perfect aquarium inhabitants.

The first species of the genus Pseudolaguvia was discovered back in 1927, but only recently it was found that this genus represents a species-rich one. Pseudolaguvia are dwarf catfish that reach a maximum length of only 2-3 cm. 13 species of the 17 species known to date have been described from the year 2003 on.

A typical feature of the genus Pseudolaguvia is the adhesive apparatus on the belly which looks a broad fold. All species live in brooks or small rivers over sandy bottom. Usually the fish are found among dead plant material (detritus).

For the first time we could import now Pseudolagivia muricata. The charming animals become only 2.5-3 cm long and are no great swimmers. So they fit perfectly for small tanks. A tank for Pseudolaguvia should have fine sand on the bottom. One should also give some dead leaves in the tank. The catfish feed on almost any type of usual fish food – it has to fit the mouth, of course. Pseudolaguvia are absolutely peaceful against any tankmate, may it belong to the own or to different species. Plants are left unharmed also.

There are rather dark colored, elongate specimens and plumper ones with a lighter coloration. In all probability this represents sexual differences. Nothing is known so far regarding reproduction, but it is very likely that the eggs are deposited among plant material etc. and are left unguarded. These fish are kept best at room temperature. In the natural habitat the water is soft and neutral.

For our customers: the fish have code 445425 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Pseudolaguvia means “false Laguvia”. Laguvia is another genus of catfish. muricata: means “as spiny as a shell of a Murex snail”.

Suggestion of a common name: Spiny dwarf-suckerbellycatfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien / India
Verfügbare Größe in cm	2-3

Wallago attu

7. November 2013

We had to try quite long, but finally we succeeded and could import some youngsters of one of the most voracious of all predatory Asian catfishes again. Wallago attu attains a maximum length of about 2 m.

The enormous mouth extents far behind the eyes and it contains a large number of spiky teeth. The catfish does not hesitate to use them against nasty anglers when handled. Fish that are caught by these teeth are doomed. This is maybe the reason why this catfish is offered to the Goddess Kali, the Goddess of death and destruction (but also of renewal) by the Hindus.

For our customers: the animals have code 475505 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very limited numbers only!

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien / India
Verfügbare Größe in cm	12-15

A new name for the Ghost glass catfish: Kryptopterus vitreolus

2. April 2013

This extraordinary catfish is a popular aquarium inhabitant for more than 80 years now. The scientists Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat found out that it has been mis-identified over eight decades as Kryptopterus bicirrhis or K. minor and that the Ghost glass catfish represents a so far undescribed species. They named it as Kryptopterus vitreolus now.

Kryptopterus bicirrhis looks very different. It is not that translucend. K. bicirrhis becomes about 15 cm long which is much more that K. vitreolus (about 7 cm). The K. bicirrhis we show here was a by catch in our K. vitreolus which we currently offer in show size. K. minor originates from the island of Borneo and has in all probabilty never been imported as an ornamental fish. K. vitreolus originates from Thailand only.

For our customers: the fish has code 422005 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Kryptopterus: ancient Greek, means “with hidden fin”. bicirrhis: Latin, means “with two filaments”. minor: Latin, means “small”. vitreolus: Latin, means “small glass”.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Mystus bocourti

14. November 2011

Due to its extremely prolonged dorsal fin this fascinating species has also been placed in a genus on its own for a long time, namely Heterobagrus. The catfish becomes around 20-25 cm long. It is a very peaceful species; however, fish of small size will be taken as food, but neither congeneers nor any other tankmate will be attacked by M. bocourti otherwise.

For the first time ever we received with the current shipment two specimens that have anormally developed dorsal fin; in any other respect the two fish are absolutely identical with the other M. bocourti. Maybe this represents a sexual dimorphism and the fish with the normal dorsal fins are females? Nothing is mentioned in literature about that…

Mystus bocourti comes from the river basins of the Mekong and the Chao Phraya in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The fish feed readily on any usually frozen or live fish food and most often the animals don´t even refuse dried fish food.

For our customers: the fish have code 437455 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Mystus: not known for sure, but most probably dervied from the ancient Greek word for “beard”. bocourti: dedication name for F. Bocourt who collected the type specimens. Heterobagrus: means “different Bagrus”; Bagrus is another genus of catfish.

Suggestion of a common name: Highfin King Cat

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm	12 - 15

Parakysis verrucosus

27. September 2011

For the first time ever we received this tiny and charming dwarf fish from Malaysia. It reaches only 3-4 cm in length. The species is adopted to black water habitats in nature, where the water is very soft and acidic. However, in our facility they have proofed so far to be unproblematic and quite gregarious. Research in the field showed that the stomach of the fish contained remains of bloodworm, insects, scales, and pieces of fin. Obviously the fish are unspecialized feeders, which corresponds very well with our observations.

Parakysis verrucosus represents an interesting new species for nano aquaria.

For our customers: the animal has code 441273 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Parakysis: means “besides Akysis” (referring to the supposed relatiobship): Akysis is another genus of catfish. verrucosus: Latin, means “warty”.

Suggestion of a common name: Chocolate dwarf catfish

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Singapur / Singapore
Verfügbare Größe in cm	3-4

Pseudeutropius – the mini shark cats

3. September 2010

The shark cats belonging to the genera Pangasius and Pangasianodon are very popular. The reason is their interesting swimming behaviour which reminds one in sharks. However, these fish have one big disadvantage: they grow to a very large size. Even the smallest of them, the common Siamese shark Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, becomes at least 30 – 35 cm long in home aquaria. These animals are bred in Southeast Asia as food fish and this is the reason why so many of small juveniles are always available in the trade. But undoubtedly many aquarists have problems to butcher the animals they reared in the tank over years….

Now the trade has found a perfect alterative that stays small: catfish of the genus Pseudeutropius. They do not differ from the large shark cats in respect of coloration or swimming behaviour, but become maximum 10 cm long. Sexual maturity is reached even at half of that length.

There are two species in that genus that look almost identical and both stay small and have the same swimming behaviour, and both originate from Sumatra. That is the reason why they are usually not distinguished from each other in the trade. However, it is quite easy to tell them apart, for P. brachypopterus (which does also live on Borneo) has a much shorter anal fin with approximately 30 rays compared with P. mooelenburghae, which has about 40 rays in that fin. The pictures illustrating this entry show P. brachypopterus.

Besides their small size the mini shark cats have another feature that makes them very entertaining aquarium fish: umbrella-barbels! In contrast to the large shark cats Pseudeutropius own eight long barbels around the mouth. Depending on the requirements the fish bear these barbels attached to the body or stretched in front of the head. The special thing is that this stretching of the barbel appears in a jerky manner. One virtually believes to hear a “plop” when they do it! The whole thing reminds one in putting up an umbella.

For our customers: the animals have code 445504 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Lexicon: Pangasius: from a native name of the type species of the genus, Pangasius pangasius, which lives in the Ganges river in India. Pangasianodon: ancient Greek, means “with teeth like a Pangasius”. Pangasius is another genus of catfish. hypophthalmus: ancient Greek, means “goggle-eyed”. Pseudeutropius: ancient Greek, means “false Eutropius”. Eutropius is another genus of catfish. brachypopterus: ancient Greek, means “with a short fin”. moolenburghae: dedication name for Mrs Moolenburgh who supplied together with her husband a large collection of fishes from Sumatra to Weber and de Beaufort for their epochal work on the fishes of the Indo-Australian Archipelago.

Text & Photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indonesien / Indonesia
Verfügbare Größe in cm	5-6

Pseudomystus siamensis (= Leiocassis siamensis)

15. January 2010

It has been some time that we had this good old fashioned classic from Southeast Asia in our fishhouse. Pseudomystus siamensis originates from Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos and is a smaller species of catfish. Maximum length given in literature is 15 cm, but this length is hardly ever reached. Against congeneers and other species of fish the Asian Bumblebee Cat is quite peaceful as long as they are big enough. Otherwise they are taken for food. The catfish feed on anything available, may it be dry, frozen or live food. Although the fish are most active at dawn, they are comparably smart and learn to come out of their hiding place at any time of the day when food is given. Regarding water parameters the animals are completely undemanding. Water temperature should be between 22 and 26°C. Plants are ignored.

For our customers: the fish have code 423603 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm	6-8

Akysis vespa

10. November 2009

Among the catfishes are several species that are able to take revenge for being caught by giving a poisonous sting. Although the venom has only mild effects on most people (burning, local swelling, pain) it might be even fatal for allergy sufferers. You should always keep in mind that our beloved honey bee is the animal that is responsible for most deaths caused by animals in humans!

And this is the real problem with venomous fishes: you cannot say what will happen before you become stung the first time. So it is better to be cautious with Akysis vespa.

The scientific name “vespa” already says a lot. It refers not only on the yellow-black coloration, but also on the very painful sting this species can inflict. The good news is: Akysis vespa is a perfect aquarium fish and can even become bred in the home aquarium. Sexes can be distinguished best by the shape of the body. Females are more plump. When in spawning condition you can see the greenish eggs through the belly of the female. The eggs have a diameter of around 1.5 mm.

Akysis vespa originates from Burma. It is known so far only from the upper reaches of the Ataran river in the northern part of Burma. The Ataran rises in Thailand and empties in the Andaman sea. Akysis inhabits clear, fast moving streamlets with pebbly ground. In the aquarium it is much more active when good current is provided.

Like in many other fishes the spawning season for A. vespa is induced by the rainy season. Similar as in breeding corys strong waterchanges (of about 80%) with cool and soft water should be made. The water temperature should be lowered by doing this from about 30°C to about 23°C. The males are strongly chasing the females. It has proofed to be useful to use a group of males for breeding. The successful male will wrap its body around the female during spawning. The eggs need about 4 days to hatch.

For our customers: the fish has code 362363 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale market.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Burma
Verfügbare Größe in cm	3-4

Pangasius bocourti

15. July 2009

Shark catfishes have received their common name according to their swimming behaviour, which is very similar to the way several species of shark do swim. Similar to sharks is also that the fishes do permanently swim and only seldom take a rest.Nowadays they are also well known by their scientific genus name, eg Pangasius, because these fishes are subject of intense aquaculture in Southeast Asia. So their very tasty and boneless filets can be found in almost any foodstore even in Europe.

All species of Pangasius are large to very large growing fishes. Thus they fit on a long time sight only for show aquaria. Here they can live several decades. P. bocourti belongs to the medium sized species, its maximum reported length is approx. 120 cm. The very attractive fish can be distinguished from their congeneers in the trade quite easily by the white bordered caudal fin.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm	10-15

Oreoglanis siamensis

21. April 2008

(21.April 2008)…and again we got something very rare: Oreoglanis siamensis. But only a very few pieces. They live in the Mekong area and the Chao Phyraya basins. In the northern part of Thailand you can find them
in the mountain area of Mae Nam Ping and Doi Chiang Dow. They are found in fast floating hillstreams with a temperature of around 18°C and a pH of 6,4-8,9. The oxygen is about 8-10mg per liter and must be considered
if you want to keep this fish. You can feed them with all kind of small fishfood like tabletts or small frozen food. Because they are very rare in their habitats, there are still projects in Asia to breed them and release the bred ones into the nature.

(Photo F.Schäfer, Text R.Neunkirchen)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Thailand
Verfügbare Größe in cm	4-6 & 6-8

Pseudeutropius atherinoides

6. July 2007

The „shark cats“ of the genus Pangasius are highly seeked for aquarium fishes, because their swimming behaviour reminds one on a shark. Sadly all species grow very fast and none of the species stays smaller than 50 cm, some even reach 150 cm or even more. For some time now so-called „mini-pangasius“ are introduced to the market. One of these species (who, from a systematic point of view, are not close relatives of Pangasius) is the charming Eutropius atherinoides, that grows rarely longer than 6-8 cm. Actually this fish is quite cheap and available in greater numbers from India. They are very peaceful inhabitants for every community tank and take readily all types of the usual food for ornamental fishes. Plants will not become eaten or destroyed.(Photo F. Schäfer, Text K. Diehl)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft	Indien