TankBud

Marbled leiocassis

Leiocassis poeciloptera

Also known as Leiocassis poecilopterus, Variegated bagrid

FreshwaterFish

Marbled leiocassis (Leiocassis poeciloptera)

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
Family
Bagridae
Origin
Rivers of Sumatra and Java, Indonesia

Overview

The marbled leiocassis is a handsome bottom catfish, cream mottled over chocolate, that comes out to feed after dark. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

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

Caring for the marbled leiocassis

Keep one marbled leiocassis on its own rather than in a group, in a tank of at least 40 gal (150 L). Give it driftwood tangles, rocky caves, a sand substrate and dim lighting so it feels secure enough to show itself. Low light and plenty of hiding places also bring out its marbled pattern and settle its nerves.

Keep the water warm at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C), soft to neutral, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It is nocturnal, so feed sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm in the evening.

The marbled leiocassis is peaceful and shy, and it spends the day tucked under wood or in a cave. It mixes well with other peaceful fish that are too large to be eaten, but very small tank mates may go missing. Its breeding is not recorded in aquariums.

Good to know

Leiocassis poeciloptera, also spelled poecilopterus, is a bagrid catfish in the family Bagridae. Valenciennes described it from a river in Java. It has an elongate head and a projecting snout typical of the genus, and it is also sold as the variegated bagrid.

In the wild

The marbled leiocassis lives in rivers of Sumatra and Java, and more widely in Southeast Asia. It keeps to shaded, flowing water with sunken wood and a soft bed.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The marbled leiocassis is a peaceful, solitary 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 marbled leiocassis need?

A marbled leiocassis needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a marbled leiocassis need?

A marbled leiocassis is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a marbled leiocassis eat?

A marbled leiocassis eats sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm. Feed it in the evening, since it is nocturnal.

How big does a marbled leiocassis get?

An adult marbled leiocassis reaches about 6.7 in (17 cm).

Related species