TankBud

Hillstream torrent catfish

Glyptothorax lampris

Also known as Lampris torrent cat

FreshwaterFish

Hillstream torrent catfish (Glyptothorax lampris)

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–79°F
20–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
4.7 in
12 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Sisoridae
Origin
Mekong basin hill streams

Overview

The hillstream torrent catfish is a tidy, rock-clinging sisorid for a fast-flowing stream tank. It takes a little experience to keep well.

Did you know

The hillstream torrent catfish's species name comes from a Greek word for bright or shining, a nod to the polished bronze sheen of its back. That smooth, low-drag finish suits a fish that spends its whole life pressed against rock in fast water.

Caring for the hillstream torrent catfish

Build the hillstream torrent catfish's tank around a strong current. As with all torrent cats, flow and oxygen matter more than the scenery. A river tank of at least 29 gal (110 L), with rounded stones and brisk flow, suits a group.

Keep the water clean and cool, with high oxygen, at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Warm, still water is the quickest way to lose it, so keep the current moving and the temperature down. Feed sinking foods into the flow, such as frozen bloodworm, small sinking pellets and algae wafers.

It is social and does well in a small group. It spends its time locked onto stone and glass, darting out to feed when food passes in the current. It is peaceful and suits other cool-water, flow-loving fish of similar size. It has no aquarium breeding record.

Good to know

Glyptothorax lampris is a torrent catfish of the family Sisoridae. Its underside carries the ridged thoracic adhesive pad that the genus uses to hold rock in current. It is also known as the lampris torrent cat.

In the wild

The hillstream torrent catfish grips riffles and runs in hill tributaries of the Mekong and neighboring drainages. It lives in clear, cool, fast water over cobble.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The hillstream torrent 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 hillstream torrent catfish need?

A hillstream torrent catfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a hillstream torrent catfish need?

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

What does a hillstream torrent catfish eat?

A hillstream torrent catfish eats sinking foods fed into the flow. Offer it frozen bloodworm, small sinking pellets and algae wafers.

How big does a hillstream torrent catfish get?

An adult hillstream torrent catfish reaches about 4.7 in (12 cm).

Related species