The title “Glass Catfish” refers to species of clear freshwater fish within the Kryptopterus genus. They go by different names resembling Phantom or Ghost catfish relying on the species. Glass Catfish are simply acknowledged by their clear our bodies that usually present their skeleton and inner organs. Though Glass Catfish lack colour, many fishkeepers are drawn to their distinctive look and peaceable temperaments.
Breed Overview
| Dimension: | As much as 3 inches lengthy |
| Lifespan: | 5–8 years |
| Related Breeds: | Glass bloodfin tetra, X-ray Pristella, Siamese glassfish |
| Appropriate for: | Intermediate to skilled fishkeepers |
| Temperament: | Timid, social, and peaceable |
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-about 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 circumstances 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 Value?
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 isn’t discovered within the aquarium commerce and was probably solely present in small numbers. The Ok. vitreolus may be discovered on the market around the globe though they aren’t as widespread 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 value between $10 to $30, and you will want to purchase greater than 5 at a time. Glass Catfish are social and have to be stored in teams. You may anticipate to spend round $30 to $70 for a gaggle 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. One of the difficult components of caring for Glass Catfish is conserving them alive lengthy sufficient to succeed in a minimum of 5 years previous.
Glass Catfish can not thrive in aquariums with frequent temperature fluctuations, ammonia spikes, or incompatible tank mates. They require a totally 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 an excellent vary (75° to 82° Fahrenheit).
Does This Fish Make a Good Tankmate?
Glass Catfish are extremely social and peaceable fish with a superb repute in group aquariums. They’re appropriate with different equally sized peaceable fish like Neon Tetras, Rasboras, Cherry Barbs, and Honey Gourami. It is best to solely maintain 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 forms of fish are often too massive or aggressive to be stored with Glass Catfish.
Understand that as a social species, Glass Catfish have to 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 gaggle 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 under at their tank setup necessities.
Water High quality, pH & Temperature
Glass Catfish are tropical freshwater fish that have to be stored in mature aquariums. The ammonia and nitrite ranges within the water ought to by no means fluctuate previous zero. The nitrate degree is tolerable up till 15 ppm earlier than it’s essential to 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.
| Temperature: | 75° to 82° Fahrenheit (23° to twenty-eight° Celsius) |
| pH: | 6.0 to 7.5 |
| Water hardness: | 18 to 179 ppm |
| Ammonia: | 0 ppm |
| Nitrite: | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate: | Under 15 ppm |
Substrate
A sandy or tremendous gravel substrate is really helpful for Glass Catfish aquariums. The substrate mustn’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’s additionally a danger of dyed substrates leaching toxins into the water which Glass Catfish are delicate to.
Crops
Glass Catfish thrive in closely planted aquariums. Dwell crops supply these fish advantages resembling elevated oxygenation, pure filtration, and shelter. Glass Catfish really feel secure and turn into extra energetic in planted setups than naked ones. If the aquarium is naked, you would possibly discover that Glass Catfish attempt to cover behind the filter or in a nook.
Greatest crops for Glass Catfish:
Lighting
A low to reasonably shiny aquarium gentle is appropriate for Glass Catfish. Their aquarium doesn’t want very shiny 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 energetic through the day and often relaxation at evening. It’s troublesome to see catfish at nighttime 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 shifting and clear, and not using a robust output. Sponge filters, hang-on-back (HOB), and most inner filters are appropriate for Glass Catfish aquariums.
Issues to Know When Proudly owning a Glass Catfish:
Meals & Weight loss program Necessities
Glass Catfish are likely to eat a carnivorous weight-reduction plan within the wild consisting of worms, small crustaceans, and zooplankton. They like to hunt for dwell meals and work collectively in teams to search out accessible meals.
In captivity, Glass Catfish ought to eat an omnivorous weight-reduction plan. Their weight-reduction plan ought to include dwell or freeze-dried meals like tubifex worms, bloodworms, daphnia, and child brine shrimp. A tropical fish flake or pelleted meals ought to be provided a minimum of a couple of times a day. Most Glass Catfish will try and eat their tank mate’s meals if given the chance.
Dimension & Development Charge
The dimensions of Glass Catfish varies among the many completely different species. The Ok. bicirrhis is among the largest species recognized 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 speedy progress charge throughout the first 6 months of their lives. Like most fish, Glass Catfish are sexually mature earlier than they attain 12 months previous, often across the 4–6-month mark.
Varieties
There are 4 major species of Glass Catfish acknowledged in aquariums that belong within the Kryptopterus genus:
Because of the variations in the species, it’s higher to consult with them by their scientific title reasonably than their widespread title. Most Glass Catfish share comparable widespread names, resembling Phantom, Asian, or Ghost catfish.
Lifespan and Well being Circumstances
The common lifespan for Glass Catfish is between 5 to eight years. A part of the rationale they’re fitted to skilled fish keepers is as a result of they aren’t hardy fish. Glass Catfish are delicate to modifications and their surroundings and require particular circumstances to thrive.
If their correct circumstances are usually not met, Glass Catfish are inclined to critical well being issues brought on by poor water high quality and stress.
Severe Circumstances:
Sadly, many Glass Catfish die earlier than you get an opportunity to deal with them for a particular well being drawback. They’re very delicate fish which might be troublesome to look after.
Male vs Feminine
The variations between a female and male Glass Catfish are refined. Hobbyists often 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 knowledgeable fishkeepers wrestle.
3 Little-Recognized Details 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.
Closing Ideas
In case you are an experienced fishkeeper in search of clear fish to enliven your aquarium, the Glass Catfish is price contemplating. They’ve clear our bodies with seen skeletons, and the most typical species (Ok. vitreolus) not often exceeds 3 inches in dimension.
There are three major elements to remember when caring for Glass Catfish—water high quality, tank mates, and setup. Water high quality is necessary for Glass Catfish, and they need to solely be stored in cycled aquariums which were working for a couple of 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 have to be stored in teams of a minimum of 5 – 6.
General, Glass Catfish make distinctive additions to aquariums with their clear our bodies and education habits.
Featured Picture Credit score: slowmotiongli, Shutterstock
