Glass Catfish: Care Information, Tank Setup & Data

The identify “Glass Catfish” refers to species of clear freshwater fish within the Kryptopterus genus. They go by different names equivalent to Phantom or Ghost catfish relying on the species. Glass Catfish are simply acknowledged by their clear our bodies that always present their skeleton and inside organs. Though Glass Catfish lack shade, many fishkeepers are drawn to their distinctive look and peaceable temperaments.

Breed Overview

The principle species of Glass Catfish within the aquarium commerce business is the Ok. vitreolus, which we can be referring to all through the article. Different species such because the Ok. minor, Ok. piperatus, and Ok. bicirrhis may be present in aquariums too. Nonetheless, they’re thought of rarer and generally confused for a similar species.

Glass Catfish not solely have complicated taxonomic rankings, however difficult care necessities. They’re delicate to water situations and good water high quality is essential for his or her survival in aquariums. Glass Catfish are usually not forgiving of newbie fishkeeper errors, which makes them a better option for extra skilled fishkeepers.

Glass Catfish Traits

Glass Catfish Price?

Glass Catfish originate from Thailand in Southeast Asia. They’re present in murky and slow-moving coastal river basins within the Cardamom Mountains and Peninsular Thailand. The Ok. vitreolus species have been within the aquarium commerce for many years, though they had been beforehand mislabeled as Ok. bicirrhis till 2013.

It’s believed that Ok. bicirrhis is never discovered within the aquarium commerce and was probably solely present in small numbers. The Ok. vitreolus may be discovered on the market world wide though they don’t seem to be as frequent as tetras, goldfish, and plenty of different tropical fish. Nonetheless, Glass Catfish may be discovered on the market in pet shops and from on-line retailers.

They usually price between $10 to $30, and you will have to purchase greater than 5 at a time. Glass Catfish are social and should be stored in teams. You may count on to spend round $30 to $70 for a bunch of Glass Catfish.

Sociability of the Glass Catfish

Do These Fish Make Good Pets?

Glass Catfish may be good pets for fishkeepers who’ve expertise and data of aquarium upkeep. It’s because Glass Catfish are delicate fish that ought to solely be stored in mature aquariums. Even the slightest traces of ammonia and nitrite may be detrimental to Glass Catfish and stress them out. Some of the difficult elements of caring for Glass Catfish is preserving them alive lengthy sufficient to succeed in a minimum of 5 years outdated.

Glass Catfish can not thrive in aquariums with frequent temperature fluctuations, ammonia spikes, or incompatible tank mates. They require a completely cycled aquarium and a well-filtered and oxygenated surroundings. You will have to run a heater of their aquarium alongside a thermometer to maintain the temperature inside a super vary (75° to 82° Fahrenheit).

Does This Fish Make a Good Tankmate?

Glass Catfish are extremely social and peaceable fish with fame in group aquariums. They’re appropriate with different equally sized peaceable fish like Neon Tetras, Rasboras, Cherry Barbs, and Honey Gourami. You need to solely preserve Glass Catfish in the identical aquarium as different tropical fish that thrive in the identical pH vary. Tank mates like Goldfish, Oscars, Jack Dempsey, and African Cichlids ought to be averted. These kinds of fish are normally too massive or aggressive to be stored with Glass Catfish.

Remember the fact that as a social species, Glass Catfish should be stored in teams of 5 or extra. They need to by no means be housed alone as this may be aggravating for them.

Care Information & Tank Set Up

The minimal tank dimension for a bunch of 5 to 6 Glass Catfish is a 30-gallon lengthy tank. Sadly, Glass Catfish are usually not appropriate for small aquaria like vases and bowls.

Let’s have a look beneath at their tank setup necessities.

Water High quality, pH & Temperature

Glass Catfish are tropical freshwater fish that should be stored in mature aquariums. The ammonia and nitrite ranges within the water ought to by no means fluctuate previous zero. The nitrate stage is tolerable up till 15 ppm earlier than that you must do a partial water change.

The water pH vary ought to be acidic to barely impartial with no fluctuations. You should utilize alder cones or Indian almond leaves within the aquarium to maintain the water pH low. Plus, they launch tannins into the water which have antifungal properties.

Substrate

A sandy or wonderful gravel substrate is really useful for Glass Catfish aquariums. The substrate shouldn’t alter the water’s chemistry nor launch toxins from dyes and chemical residue. Black, brown, tan, and white substrates are most well-liked over brightly coloured ones. There may be additionally a threat of dyed substrates leaching toxins into the water which Glass Catfish are delicate to.

Crops

Glass Catfish thrive in closely planted aquariums. Reside vegetation supply these fish advantages equivalent to elevated oxygenation, pure filtration, and shelter. Glass Catfish really feel protected and turn into extra lively in planted setups than naked ones. If the aquarium is naked, you may discover that Glass Catfish attempt to cover behind the filter or in a nook.

Lighting

A low to reasonably vibrant aquarium gentle is appropriate for Glass Catfish. Their aquarium doesn’t want very vibrant lighting which may be aggravating for them. The lighting ought to be stored on for six to 10 hours per day and turned off at evening. They’re lively through the day and normally relaxation at evening. It’s troublesome to see catfish at midnight since their our bodies are clear.

Filtration

Glass Catfish inhabit slow-moving our bodies of water with a gradual to reasonable present. This water motion ought to be replicated in captivity as Glassfish don’t take pleasure in aquariums with robust water motion. The filter that you just use of their aquarium ought to be robust sufficient to maintain the water transferring and clear, and not using a robust output. Sponge filters, hang-on-back (HOB), and most inside filters are appropriate for Glass Catfish aquariums.

Issues to Know When Proudly owning a Glass Catfish:

Meals & Weight-reduction plan Necessities

Glass Catfish are inclined to eat a carnivorous food plan within the wild consisting of worms, small crustaceans, and zooplankton. They like to hunt for stay meals and work collectively in teams to search out obtainable meals.

In captivity, Glass Catfish ought to eat an omnivorous food plan. Their food plan ought to encompass stay or freeze-dried meals like tubifex worms, bloodworms, daphnia, and child brine shrimp. A tropical fish flake or pelleted meals ought to be supplied a minimum of a few times a day. Most Glass Catfish will try to eat their tank mate’s meals if given the chance.

Measurement & Progress Fee

The dimensions of Glass Catfish varies among the many totally different species. The Ok. bicirrhis is among the largest species identified to succeed in a size of 6.5 inches. The Ok. minor is a smaller species at 2.5 inches lengthy, whereas the Ok. vitreolus solely grows to three inches. Glass Catfish have a fast progress charge inside the first 6 months of their lives. Like most fish, Glass Catfish are sexually mature earlier than they attain 12 months outdated, normally across the 4–6-month mark.

Varieties

As a result of variations within the species, it’s higher to consult with them by their scientific identify moderately than their frequent identify. Most Glass Catfish share related frequent names, equivalent to Phantom, Asian, or Ghost catfish.

Lifespan and Well being Situations

The common lifespan for Glass Catfish is between 5 to eight years. A part of the explanation they’re fitted to skilled fish keepers is as a result of they don’t seem to be hardy fish. Glass Catfish are delicate to adjustments and their surroundings and require particular situations to thrive.

If their correct situations are usually not met, Glass Catfish are inclined to critical well being issues brought on by poor water high quality and stress.

Sadly, many Glass Catfish die earlier than you get an opportunity to deal with them for a selected well being downside. They’re very delicate fish which can be troublesome to take care of.

Male vs Feminine

The variations between a female and male Glass Catfish are refined. Hobbyists normally have a troublesome time telling the sexes aside, since their clear our bodies make it complicated. Nonetheless, male Glass Catfish are believed to be barely smaller and slenderer than females with triangular heads. Breeding Glass Catfish in captivity is difficult, even skilled fishkeepers battle.

3 Little-Identified Info About Glass Catfish

1. Glass Catfish are clear as a result of their our bodies lack pigment.

2. They don’t have scales like most species of catfish.

3. Glass Catfish have a tiny and practically invisible dorsal fin.

Last Ideas

If you’re an skilled fishkeeper searching for clear fish to brighten up your aquarium, the Glass Catfish is price contemplating. They’ve clear our bodies with seen skeletons, and the most typical species (Ok. vitreolus) hardly ever exceeds 3 inches in dimension.

There are three fundamental components to bear in mind when caring for Glass Catfish—water high quality, tank mates, and setup. Water high quality is vital for Glass Catfish, and they need to solely be stored in cycled aquariums which have been operating for just a few months. Moreover, Glass Catfish thrive in heated, filtered, and planted aquariums over 30 gallons lengthy. Whereas Glass Catfish are appropriate with different peaceable fish, they nonetheless should be stored in teams of a minimum of 5 or 6.

General, Glass Catfish make distinctive additions to aquariums with their clear our bodies and education conduct.

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