TankBud

True glass catfish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis

Also known as Glass catfish, Ghost catfish, Phantom catfish

FreshwaterFish

True glass catfish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis)
SATOSHI TOMIYAMA · CC BY-SA 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–79°F
21–26°C
pH
6.0–7.0
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
26 gal
100 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Siluridae
Origin
Native to freshwater rivers of Sundaic Southeast Asia, including Sumatra and Borneo.

Overview

The true glass catfish is a peaceful, transparent schooling catfish. It is more demanding than the little glass catfish sold in most shops, so it is best with a little experience.

Did you know

Almost every fish sold as a glass catfish is really the smaller Kryptopterus vitreolus. The true glass catfish is a bigger, rarer fish that few keepers have actually owned.

Caring for the true glass catfish

Give true glass catfish a well-filtered tank of at least 26 gal (100 L). They need open swimming space among plants and wood, with subdued lighting.

Keep the water clean, well oxygenated and gently flowing, with some current. It should be soft and slightly acidic, at 70 to 79°F (21 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Feed small meaty foods such as frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus fine sinking foods.

Keep a shoal of six or more, since single or paired fish become stressed and waste away. True glass catfish are peaceful and safe with other community fish.

Good to know

Kryptopterus bicirrhis is the original glass catfish, and for decades it was confused with the small species now sold under that name. That smaller fish, Kryptopterus vitreolus, stays around 6 to 8 cm. The true glass catfish was only ever exported in small numbers. Its body is see-through enough that the spine and internal organs show through the flesh. It also goes by ghost catfish or phantom catfish.

In the wild

The true glass catfish comes from flowing rivers and streams of Sundaic Southeast Asia, including Sumatra and Borneo. It lives there in loose shoals.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The true glass catfish is a peaceful, schooling 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 true glass catfish need?

A true glass catfish needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a true glass catfish need?

A true glass catfish is comfortable at 70–79°F (21–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.0.

What does a true glass catfish eat?

A true glass catfish eats small meaty foods, such as frozen bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. It also takes fine sinking foods.

How big does a true glass catfish get?

An adult true glass catfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

Does a true glass catfish need a group?

Yes. A true glass catfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

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