Banded sisorid catfish

Glyptothorax buchanani

Also known as Buchanan's torrent cat

FreshwaterFish

Banded sisorid catfish (Glyptothorax buchanani) — The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature: 68–79°F (20–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2.8 in (7 cm)
Minimum tank: 29 gal (110 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Chao Phraya and Mekong basins
Family: Sisoridae

Overview

The banded sisorid is a small, peaceful hillstream catfish built to live in fast water. It is social and settles best in a small group, clinging to stone and glass and working the flow for food. It is no threat to other fish and does well with other current-loving, cool-water species of similar size. The key to keeping it is the tank itself: strong flow, high oxygen, and clean water, not decor. Feed sinking foods delivered into the current, frozen bloodworm, small pellets, and algae-based tablets. A river-style tank of around 110 liters or more with brisk flow suits a group.

In the wild

Glyptothorax buchanani lives in clear, fast hill streams of the Chao Phraya basin and neighboring Thai rivers, gripping cobbles in riffles and rapids. Recreate that with a tank of smooth stones and rounded gravel, strong flow from a powerhead or river manifold, and heavy oxygenation. Keep the water cool and clean at 20–26 C and around pH 6.0–7.5, since warm, still water suits it poorly.

Good to know

Glyptothorax buchanani is a torrent catfish of the family Sisoridae, reaching about 7 centimeters. Its genus name means carved chest, for the ridged adhesive pad on its underside that lets it stick to rock in fast water. Breeding is not recorded in aquaria. The species honors Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, an early surveyor of South Asian fishes.

Did you know

The pale ridged patch on its chest is a working suction pad. Formed from folded skin and bone, it lets the fish lock onto bare rock and hold position in current strong enough to sweep most fish away.

Tank mates

Banded sisorid catfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.