All fish / Siluridae

Glass Catfish

Kryptopterus vitreolus

Also known as ghost catfish, glass catfish, phantom catfish, indian glass catfish, see-through catfish, kryptopterus bicirrhis, kryptopterus minor, ghost glass catfish, ปลาก้างพระร่วง, ikan kaca, グラスキャット, lais kaca

A small catfish with an almost completely transparent body, so the skeleton and organs are visible, and two long barbels at the snout. It hovers in midwater in tight groups facing the current, which makes it a striking and unusual choice for a calm planted community tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Shoal of 6 or more

Diet

Carnivore: small live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus quality micro pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

7 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Thailand (Gulf of Thailand drainages, Cardamom and peninsular rivers)

Breeding

Breeding in home aquariums is very rare and poorly documented. Most fish in the trade are farmed or wild caught in Thailand.

Good to know

Kept singly or in small numbers it becomes stressed, hides and often wastes away, so keep a proper group with gentle tankmates. Long sold as Kryptopterus bicirrhis or K. minor, which are different, larger species rarely seen in the trade.