Where do glass catfish come from?

What makes glass catfish so unusual?

One thing that makes glass catfish unusual compared to many other catfish is that they aren’t bottom-dwelling fish. These fish spend most of their time swimming and exploring the middle areas of the water instead of camping out at the bottom.

How did the glass catfish get its name?

Like most catfish, the Glass Catfish has the characteristic barbels on their head, which extend out from their nose and past their face. The barbels look similar to the whiskers on a cat, hence the name catfish.

What is a glass catfish?

The glass catfish (scientific name: kryptopterus vitreolus) is a freshwater fish that is native to Thailand. There have been some reports of these fish being found in Malaysia and even Cambodia, but the validity of these claims is iffy.

Where do glass catfish live?

Glass Catfish are originally from Thailand where they inhabit moderate moving rivers and streams. They mostly stay in the middle of the water column and rarely stray too far from the safety of the river bed. Their barbels are used heavily as the water visibility tends to be low.

What happens if you overfeed glass catfish?

Overfeeding your fish can cause excess nutrients in your aquarium tank, which will lead to an infestation of bacteria and algae. In their natural habitat, in the wild, the Glass Catfish will spawn seasonally, usually during heavy rain times.

Can glass catfish live alone in a tank?

A glass catfish that’s all alone will live in a constant state of stress which can seriously impact their health and lifespan. Even though it might mean you can keep them in a smaller tank, it’s not fair to the fish. Aim for a school of 5 or more to keep them happy and healthy.

How many fin rays does a glass catfish have?

It also has an extended anal fin that is large, clean, transparent, crescent-shaped, and runs the length of the Glass Catfish from the caudal fin to its head. The anal fin has approximately 48 to 55 fin rays. The Glass Catfish is a unique fish that lacks body pigmentation, scales, and a dorsal fin.

What is the etymology of glass catfish?

Glass Catfish. Etymology. Kryptopterus: from the Greek kryptos, meaning ‘hidden’, and pterýgio, meaning ‘fin’, in reference to the reduced or absent dorsal-fin in members of this genus. vitreolus: from the diminutive form of the Latin adjective vitreus, meaning ‘of glass’, in reference to this species’ transparent appearance in life.

What are the different types of glass catfish?

Alternative trade names include ‘Asian glass catfish’, ‘ghost catfish’ and ‘phantom catfish’, while it’s sometimes confused with the ‘African glass catfish’, Parailia pellucida.

What is the scientific name of the glass catfish?

There are a number of closely related species in the Kryptopterus family, which may all be sold under the name Glass or Ghost catfish Latin name is Kryptopterus vitreolus.

What makes the glass catfish so special?

The Glass Catfish provides an instant attraction as ‘something different’ due to its virtually see-through body. In the aquarium the Glass Catfish is a timid and sensitive fish that is best mixed with other peaceful, small fish. Good water quality is essential and the fish prefer an open swimming area with flowing water, and a few hiding spots.

Do glass catfish school together?

These fish will school together which makes for an incredible show; it is as if you have 5 or 6 skeletons swimming around in your tank! Most catfish, while energetic, will stay on the bottom of the tank, whereas Glass Catfish are exceptions and enjoy swimming around.

Do glass catfish like to be alone?

When being alone the fish may have bad appetite and hide all the time, also the fish alone doesn’t look as good as a school of glass catfish. Glass catfish feel themselves much better and confident in a group of 4-6 fish, they swim freely in the middle water layer and in the middle of the tank.

Where do glass catfish live in the wild?

Habitat in the wild. Glass catfish or ghost catfish inhabits in Thailand and Indonesia rivers. The fish prefers some streams and rivers with slow water flow, where the fish inhabits in a school and catches fish flowing by.

What is the most popular species of glass catfish?

This guide will focus on the most popular species of Glass Catfish which is suitable for beginners; Kryptopterus vitreolus. Glass Catfish got their name from their transparent body that lets you see their bones and organs. The scientific name comes from Greek word kryptos, meaning hidden and pterýgio (fin).

How many glass catfish should be in a tank?

There shouldn’t be any large and aggressive fishes in the tank together with glass catfish. They love a company of its kind, so we recommend to keep at least 5 of them in the tank. However, it’s advisable to keep a school of 10-12 fish.

Do glass catfish have fins?

However, glass catfish don’t have a flesh fin. Care is rather difficult since the fish is quite a demanding one, that can be recommended only to experienced aquarists. The fish hardly stands changes of tank water parameters, it is timid and prone to different diseases.

How did the catfish get its name?

Glass Catfish got their name from their transparent body that lets you see their bones and organs. The scientific name comes from the Greek word kryptos, meaning hidden and pterýgio (fin).

Is there a glass catfish in Malaysia?

It’s all in here! The glass catfish (scientific name: kryptopterus vitreolus) is a freshwater fish that is native to Thailand. There have been some reports of these fish being found in Malaysia and even Cambodia, but the validity of these claims is iffy.

What is the scientific name for skeleton catfish?

All of these are common names that apply to several different species of skeleton catfish. Initially, the most popular species of this family was known as the Kryptopterus bicirrhis. However, it was concluded that this was a misidentification and as such the popular species for aquariums are now known as Kryptopterus vitreolus.