All fish / Siluridae

Poormans Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus macrocephalus

Also known as poor man's glass catfish, poormans glass catfish, striped glass catfish, bigheaded glass catfish, glass catfish, lais, クリプトプテルス・マクロケファルス, lais kaca, 大头玻璃猫

A slim, semi-transparent catfish with a tinted, less see-through body than the true glass catfish and a dark line along the flank. It hovers in mid-water among plants and suits calm, soft-water community tanks with shy companions.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus fine sinking pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia: Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo

Breeding

Not reliably bred in aquariums; trade specimens are wild caught from peat swamp and blackwater habitats.

Good to know

Becomes stressed and hides if kept alone or with boisterous fish, and is sensitive to poor water quality. Often confused with Kryptopterus vitreolus, which is clearer and smaller.