Black lancer catfish

Care at a glance

Overview

The black lancer catfish is a shy, nocturnal fish that hides through the day and comes out after dark to forage. It is peaceful toward mid-water community fish, though it can be territorial with other bottom-dwellers, so give it room and its own cave or length of pipe to claim. It grazes on sinking foods, frozen bloodworms, chopped prawn, and the odd algae wafer, and it may take very small fish, so keep tankmates modest but not tiny. Dim lighting and plenty of wood help it settle and show itself. A tank of around 210 liters or larger gives it space to patrol at night.

In the wild

The black lancer comes from Sumatra and neighbouring parts of the Sunda Islands, living in soft, tannin-stained rivers and streams shaded by forest. Keep it warm, around 24 to 28 C, with a pH between 6 and 7.5 and gentle to moderate current. A dim, well-shaded layout suits it best, with driftwood, root tangles, and caves for daytime cover over a soft sand bed. Tinting the water with leaf litter or botanicals mimics the blackwater conditions it comes from and brings out its deep colour.

Good to know

The black lancer catfish belongs to Bagridae and reaches about 23 cm. It is named for its very long, serrated dorsal spine, which stands well above the back and is longer in males, along with an elongate second dorsal ray. The body is a deep velvety black crossed by a thin pale line along the flank, though juveniles are more strongly marked. Little is known about its wild reproduction, and there are no documented cases of it breeding in aquariums.

Did you know

The lancer in this catfish's name refers to the tall, blade-like dorsal spine that rises from its back. Along with an extended fin ray, it gives the jet-black fish a striking outline that is unmistakable once it leaves cover at night.

Related species

• 

  Striped mystus

  Mystus vittatus

  8.3 in (21 cm)60 gal (227 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
• Asian upside-down catfish

  Mystus leucophasis

  11.8 in (30 cm)50 gal (190 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
• Asian bumblebee catfish

  Pseudomystus siamensis

  5.9 in (15 cm)30 gal (115 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
• Harlequin lancer catfish

  Bagroides melapterus

  11.8 in (30 cm)120 gal (455 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
• Two-spot catfish

  Mystus bimaculatus

  4.7 in (12 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
• Redtail bagrid

  Hemibagrus nemurus

  25.6 in (65 cm)185 gal (700 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)