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Blotched sisorid catfish

Glyptothorax macromaculatus

Also known as Big-blotch torrent cat

FreshwaterFish

Blotched sisorid catfish (Glyptothorax macromaculatus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–79°F
20–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
6.3 in
16 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Sisoridae
Origin
Upper Salween basin, Yunnan

Overview

The blotched sisorid catfish is one of the larger torrent catfish, and a peaceful, current-loving species for a serious river tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

The blotched sisorid catfish lives in rivers high enough that the water stays cold through the year. In effect, it is a catfish with an altitude rating.

Caring for the blotched sisorid catfish

Give the blotched sisorid catfish a river tank of at least 42 gal (160 L), with a boulder-and-cobble scape. It needs heavy flow, strong surface movement and clean water.

It is a cool-water fish by nature, so keep the temperature down, at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C). Keep the pH at 6.0 to 7.5. Warm, still water wears it down. Feed sinking foods into the current, such as worms, small pellets and frozen items.

It is social and can be kept in a small group where there is room. It holds station on rock and works the flow for food. Keep it with other robust, flow-loving fish of similar size. It is not known to have been bred in aquaria.

Good to know

Glyptothorax macromaculatus is a torrent catfish of the family Sisoridae, marked with bold, dark saddle blotches. Its species name means large-spotted and describes those marks. Like all Glyptothorax, it grips rock with a ridged thoracic adhesive pad. It is also called the big-blotch torrent cat.

In the wild

The blotched sisorid catfish comes from cool, rocky rivers of the upper Salween drainage in Yunnan. The mountain water there runs fast, and oxygen is high.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The blotched sisorid catfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a blotched sisorid catfish need?

A blotched sisorid catfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a blotched sisorid catfish need?

A blotched sisorid catfish is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a blotched sisorid catfish eat?

A blotched sisorid catfish eats sinking foods fed into the current, such as worms, small pellets and frozen items.

How big does a blotched sisorid catfish get?

An adult blotched sisorid catfish reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).

Related species