Marbled leiocassis

Leiocassis poeciloptera

Also known as Leiocassis poecilopterus, Variegated bagrid

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 6.7 in (17 cm)
Minimum tank: 40 gal (150 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Solitary
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Rivers of Sumatra and Java, Indonesia
Family: Bagridae

Overview

This is a handsome, marbled catfish of about 17 centimeters, cream mottled over chocolate, and it is best kept on its own rather than in a group. It is peaceful and shy, spending the day tucked under wood or in a cave and coming out to feed after dark. Its calm nature lets it mix with other peaceful fish that are too large to be eaten, though very small tankmates may go missing. Give it driftwood, caves, and dim lighting so it feels secure enough to show itself. Feed sinking pellets, wafers, and frozen foods such as bloodworm in the evening. A tank of around 150 liters with plenty of cover suits it.

In the wild

It lives in rivers of Sumatra and Java, and more widely in Southeast Asia, keeping to shaded, flowing water with sunken wood and a soft bed. A tank with driftwood tangles, rocky caves, a sand substrate, and subdued light matches its habits. Keep the water warm at 23 to 28 C and soft to neutral, around pH 6.0 to 7.5. Low light and plenty of hiding places bring out its marbled pattern and settle its nerves.

Good to know

Leiocassis poeciloptera, also spelled poecilopterus, is a bagrid catfish, family Bagridae, described by Valenciennes in 1840 from a river in Java. It reaches about 17 centimeters, with an elongate head and a projecting snout typical of the genus. The name poeciloptera means variegated or dappled fins, chosen for its mottled markings. It is a nocturnal, bottom-living species, and its breeding is not recorded in aquariums.

Did you know

Valenciennes named it poeciloptera, meaning variegated fins, back in 1840, for the marbled, dappled pattern that still makes it a catch for keepers who like a subtly patterned catfish.