Mini shark cat

Pseudeutropius brachypopterus

Also known as Pygmy shark catfish

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)
pH: 6.5–7.5
Adult size: 4.3 in (11 cm)
Minimum tank: 30 gal (112 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Middle
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: No record
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Rivers of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula
Family: Schilbeidae

Overview

A small, iridescent catfish that shoals and swims in the open midwater, sharklike in profile and always on the move. It is a shoaling species and gains confidence in numbers, so keep a group of at least six; single fish stay nervous and hidden. It is peaceful and fits a community of similarly sized calm fish, though it will eat very tiny fish or fry and should not be housed with large, boisterous tankmates that unsettle it. Feed small frozen and dried foods, such as bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, micro pellets and flake. Give the group a planted tank of around 112 liters with moderate flow and clear swimming lanes.

In the wild

The mini shark cat lives in the rivers and streams of Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, favouring flowing, well-oxygenated water. Keep it warm, about 23 to 28 C, in soft to neutral conditions around pH 6.5 to 7.5. A mature tank with driftwood tangles, dense planting at the sides and an open central channel suits it, along with moderate current and efficient filtration.

Good to know

Pseudeutropius brachypopterus is a small schilbeid catfish growing to about 10 to 11 centimeters, silver with an iridescent sheen and a keeled belly. It is an active midwater shoaler that feeds on small invertebrates and other drifting foods. It is not known to breed in home aquaria. The schilbeid catfishes are mainly an African group, and this genus is one of their few Asian members, at home across the Greater Sunda region.

Did you know

It is sold as a miniature shark, but the fish is a peaceful catfish barely longer than a thumb that shoals like a tetra and threatens nothing larger than a water flea.