Kryptopterus: From the Greek kryptos, meaning hidden and pteryx, meaning
fin; in reference to the reduced or absent dorsal fin of this group of
fishes.
Sometimes - the African Glass Cat, Parailia pellucida - is labelled as the Glass Cat, so always keep your eyes peeled when you look at a tank of these fish for sale. We have labelled this fish with a scientific name different from that you find in most hobbyist books. It appears that the glass catfish has been misidentified for a long time now as Kryptopterus bicirrhis, this fish grows much larger (up to 245mm) and has more rays in its anal fin. It is quite possible that, at some point in the last 30 years or so, K. bicirrhis was the fish imported into the aquatic trade as the Glass Catfish.
Plants are necessary to make this fish feel at home. Floating plants that diffuse overhead light help but are not mandatory. Open swimming space is required, as this fish favours swimming freely at feeding.
Keep in a shoal of at least four but preferably six or more individuals. Such a shoal of glass catfish will do well with small tetras, rasboras or danios. Provided its tankmates are not too boisterous this fish will do well in well planted community aquaria.
(1) Jools, (2) Marc van Arc, (3) snowball, who also notes, "They split up into two groups during the day, both sheltering under overhang wood. At night they all school along the front of the tank in the current. I feed them at night, but they will come out during the day when they smell food.", (4) kcmt01, (5) Persephone, (6) Moontanman, (7) adimeatatime, (8) gage, (9) H, (10) Richie Hell, (11) Marsdinho, (12) Blairc, who also notes, "These timid Cats are very good eaters, and can be fed on a diet of flakes, frozen and live food. They are extremely sensitive to changes in water conditions, and will go white when stressed. These fish enjoy having peaceful tankmates and a good plant. These Catfish are my favourite fish, and have been through the thick and thin of my fishkeeping career.", (13) Igowoof, (14) artemis1, (15) spot86t, (16) pleco_keepin_bear, (17) aquachromis, (18) bang, (19) mouseninja, (20) lene.keiserud, (21) Plecofanatic1989, (22) nooneknows, (23) c arri10, (24) theonetruepath, (25) fraggle, (26) kvnbyl, (27) jb92, (28) Plunt, (29) loachy_406, who also notes, "They are quite active when the light is off, but otherwise they stick to the shade, or in the hollow rock.", (30) ZedMuir, (31) Dinyar, (32) mini-fée, (33) mante-religieuse, who also notes, "2 died from ICH 2 weeks after I got them.
6 are perfectly healthy", (34) AimsPink, (35) griffl, who also notes, "One expired on 9-4-08.
Second expired on 12-15-08 ", (36) boucher84, (37) iam1ru12, (38) ash104a, (39) fishmosy, (40) Nick44, who also notes, "Bought from Ely Aquatics. Absolutely perfect adult specimens. Feeding on flake and Freeze Dried Tubifex", (41) HX67, (42) LLLL, (43) kiwiplymouth, (44) andycapdnz, (45) fischkringli, (46) boogie, (47) blaqksotu16, (48) acidise, (49) mangopleco, (50) astinus, (51) allpuffedup, (52) Irish Goliath, (53) Industrial, (54) coelacanth, (55) ocnluv13, (56) bronzefry, (57) L number Banana, who also notes, "Can be hand fed with frozen brine shrimp, they tickle your palm :-)
Very cool fish to watch, sometimes bicker among themselves and will often chase larger tetras away from food.", (58) judeblackburn, (59) roadkingray, (60) kouen. Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "My Cats" data for this species.
- CotM 1997 February - Show thumbnails of all species of Kryptopterus -
Search Planet Catfish for more on Kryptopterusminor - BBcode (for use in linking to this page from forum posts)
- Email a friend a direct link to this species page - Look up Kryptopterusminor on Fishbase, I.T.I.S. or ispecies search. - Print friendly layout of data - URL (for use in linking to the species from anywhere on the web)
Has this page been useful? Please click on the paypal button to make a secure & direct donation to our monthly hosting costs - it makes a real difference to us and we'll record the good deed for posterity. Help keep us free for everyone to enjoy!
- CotM 
1997 
- Show 
-
- BBcode (for use in linking to this page from 
- 
- Look up Kryptopterus minor on 
-