Mekong glass sheatfish

Kryptopterus limpok

Also known as Limpok glass catfish, Mekong misker cat

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Minimum tank: 119 gal (450 L)
Temperament: Mostly peaceful
Social behavior: Social
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins
Family: Siluridae

Overview

The Mekong glass sheatfish is a schooling, midwater catfish and the giant cousin of the little glass catfish, so keep a group of five or more, which keeps them confident and out in the open. They hang in the current in loose formation and feed on meaty foods, such as frozen bloodworm, prawn and small sinking pellets, taken from the water column. Being large predators they will eat small fish, so pair them with sturdier midwater and bottom tankmates of reasonable size. Give them length rather than height: a long tank of about 450 liters or more with gentle, steady flow.

In the wild

Kryptopterus limpok ranges widely through the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins and other large Southeast Asian rivers, favoring flowing, often turbid water carrying suspended sediment. Recreate open midwater swimming space, gentle to moderate current and subdued light, with driftwood and a few plants to break sightlines rather than fill the tank. Warm water at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius and pH 6.0 to 7.5 suits it. Clean, well-oxygenated water and low nitrate keep the school in good order.

Good to know

Kryptopterus limpok is a silurid that grows to about 30 centimeters, far larger than the familiar two-inch glass catfish of the aquarium trade. Its body is semi-translucent when young and turns more solid and silvery with size. It swims and feeds in open water rather than on the bottom, which is unusual for a catfish. No captive spawning has been documented.

Did you know

It is essentially the familiar glass catfish scaled up many times over, and in larger fish the see-through body of youth gives way to a heavier, silvered adult.

Tank mates

Mekong glass sheatfish is a mostly peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.