Edit Kryptopterus macrocephalus

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Name

Scientific name

Kryptopterus macrocephalus

Described by

Authority Bleeker, Year 1858, Bracketed

Family

Siluridae

Common names

Striped Glass Catfish

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

The striped glass catfish, Kryptopterus macrocephalus, is a silurid catfish from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the Greater Sunda Island…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

100mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–26°C, pH 4–7

Hardness

1–8dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Batang Hari, Kapuas, Rajang, Tasik Bera

Writing

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.…

Distribution

Known from southern (peninsular) Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Java. Type locality is usually g…

Habitat

This species is a stenotypic inhabitant of peat swamp forests and associated blackwater streams. Many such habitats have suffered large-scale degradation of so…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 120 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent should be the smallest considered.

Maintenance

Best kept in a well-decorated set-up with some surface or floating vegetation since it appears to prefer relatively dim conditions. The addition of dried leaf …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Probably a predator feeding on crustaceans, invertebrates and smaller fishes in nature, although there should be no need to use such live foods in captivity. O…

Behaviour and compatibility

Generally peaceful though it may predate on smaller fishes and is somewhat timid so does not compete well with much larger, robust or otherwise boisterous spec…

Generally peaceful though it may predate on smaller fishes and is somewhat timid so does not compete well with much larger, robust or otherwise boisterous species.

Peaceful, comparably-sized cyprinids, loaches and other catfishes perhaps constitute the best options but be sure to research your choices thoroughly prior to purchase.

K. macrocephalus is gregarious and tends to form schools so ideally four or more specimens should be purchased.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Adult males are noticeably slimmer than females and the posterior edge of the pectoral-fin spine is serrated (vs. smooth in females).

Reproduction

Unrecorded.

Notes

This species is also referred to as 'false glass catfish', 'mottled glass catfish' or 'tawny glass catfish'. Roberts (1989) discusses the existence of striped …

References

7 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References