All fish / Bagridae

Crystal-eyed catfish

Hemibagrus wyckii

Also known as crystal eyed catfish, crystal eye catfish, wyckii catfish, black lancer catfish, wyckii, bagrid catfish, hemibagrus wycki, ปลากดหัวเสียม, ปลากดดำ, baung, ハイフィンバグルス・ワイキー, ワイキー

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A large, dark grey to black bagrid catfish with a white margin on the tail and striking pale, glassy eyes, which give it its trade name. It is kept by enthusiasts of big predatory catfish for its bold looks and strong personality, and it often becomes very tame with its keeper.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

60 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

2000 litres

Keep as

Singly; does not tolerate its own kind or smaller fish

Diet

Carnivore: fish fillet, prawns, mussels, earthworms and large sinking carnivore pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Java

Breeding

It has not been bred in home aquariums. In the wild it spawns in rivers during the wet season, and fish for the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

This is one of the most aggressive catfish in the hobby, grows well over 60 cm and will kill or eat almost any tankmate, so it needs a huge, very securely covered tank with strong filtration. Its fin spines can cause painful wounds when handling.