Mystus bleekeri

India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Indonesia.

It inhabits lakes, rivers and other waterways.

120 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm48 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~108 litres~29 US gal.

The decor used is not critical but the fish must be provided with some hiding places. You will see it more often if the surface is covered in floating plants to cut down the light reaching the substrate. Water chemistry is relatively unimportant as it can tolerate a wide range of conditions.

Temperature: 18 – 26 °C64 – 79 °F. It will probably be happier towards the upper end of this range.

pH: 5.8-8.0. We suggest you aim for a value around 7.0.

Hardness: 3-30°H

M. bleekeri is an unfussy feeder, and will accept most live, frozen and dried foods. Feed a varied diet to keep the fish in good health and displaying their best colours.

A peaceful and gregarious species but it will probably eat small fish when adult. It makes a good bottom dweller for communities of larger peaceful fish. Maintain it in a small group as it is more outgoing when in the company of conspecifics.

Males possess a small genital papilla located just in front of the anal fin. This resembles a single fin ray.

Not thought to have been achieved in aquaria.

This species superficially resembles the more common (in the hobby) M. vittatus, but can be distinguished by its larger adult size and much longer adipose fin. It is an ideal peaceful catfish for larger communities and as with many other bagrids, is in our opinion somewhat underrated in the hobby.