PlanetCatfish.com - Kryptopterus macrocephalus (Siluridae) Cat-eLog

Habitat
Habitat

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Kryptopterus macrocephalus** (Bleeker, 1858)
Common Names	False Glass Catfish Mottled Glass Catfish, Stribet Glasmalle (Denmark), Striped Glass Catfish, Tawny Glass Catfish
Type Locality	Padang, Sumatra (?)
Synonym(s)	Cryptopterus macrocephalus, Kryptopterichthys macrocephalus
Pronunciation	Cry top ter russ. - mack kroh sef fa luss
Etymology	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. The specific epithet comes from the greek makros, meaning long, and cephale, meaning head; in reference to the longer head of this species.
Species Information
Size	97mm or 3.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Easily distinguished from the Glass Catfish (K. minor) in having a more translucent body with either a striped or a mottled pattern and larger size.
Sexing	Males are more slender and have strong serrations on the posterior edge of the pectoral spine (females lack these serrations).
Habitat Information
Distribution	Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. Pacific, Malaysia Waters, Peninsular Malaysia Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Sumatra Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Borneo Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Near Threatened , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH	4.0 - 6.4
Temperature	22.0-27.0°C or 71.6-80.6°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Usually found in tannin-stained, very acidic peat swamps, and as such, require more acidic water than the average tank.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Readily feeds on live/frozen foods and other prepared foods such as pellets. User data.
Furniture	The substrate should be underlain with at least 1/2'' of peat. Provide plenty of driftwood as hiding spaces. Prefers an area of open water when active.
Compatibility	A peaceful, schooling species that is compatible with most fish. Should be kept in groups of three or more indivduals. Ideal tankmates include pearl gouramis, clown rasboras (Rasbora kalochroma), two spot catfish (Mystus bimaculatus), bar-bellied spiny eels (Macrognathus circumcinctus) and other Asian blackwater fish in a biotope tank.
Breeding	Not Reported.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Acta Societatis Regiae Scientiarum Indo-Neêrlandicae v. 4 (art. 2), pp 293.
Registered Keepers	There are 9 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 6 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	Look up K. macrocephalus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up K. macrocephalus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.7.11.610
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:37 (species record created: 2004 Nov 08 00:00)