Stinging catfish
Heteropneustes fossilis
Also known as fossil catfish, Asian Stinging Cat
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 70–77°F
- 21–25°C
- pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 65 gal
- 245 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Very rare
- Family
- Heteropneustidae
- Origin
- Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal
Overview
The stinging catfish is a hardy, eel-like fish for the bottom of a big tank. It is best left to experienced keepers.
Caring for the stinging catfish
Aim for a tank of around 65 gal (245 L) or larger, with a soft bed. Give it plenty of shaded cover, such as pipes, caves and wood, and calm to gentle flow. It gulps air at the surface, so leave a gap above the water and fit a tight, weighted lid.
Keep it at 70 to 77°F (21 to 25°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 8.0, though it tolerates a wide range of conditions. Feed meaty sinking foods, including prawn, mussel, fish strips and earthworms.
The stinging catfish is calm with large tank mates, but it will eat any fish small enough to swallow. Keep it only with big, robust companions. It can live alone or in a group in a big tank.
Its real hazard is to the keeper, because its spines are venomous. Handle it with great care, and never catch it in a net, where it can lodge. In the wild it spawns in flooded ground during the monsoon.
Good to know
The stinging catfish is the best-known member of Heteropneustidae, the airsac catfishes. A pair of long, lung-like air sacs runs back from the gills along each side of its body. They let it breathe atmospheric air and survive in oxygen-poor water. It occasionally grows past 11.8 in (30 cm), and it is farmed for food in its range.
In the wild
The stinging catfish is native to South Asia, from Iran and Pakistan across India to Nepal. It lives in slow or still waters, ponds, ditches, swamps and rice paddies, including muddy, low-oxygen pools.
Common questions
What size tank does a stinging catfish need?
A stinging catfish needs at least 65 gal (245 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a stinging catfish need?
A stinging catfish is comfortable at 70–77°F (21–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–8.0.
What does a stinging catfish eat?
A stinging catfish eats meaty sinking foods, including prawn, mussel, fish strips and earthworms.
How big does a stinging catfish get?
An adult stinging catfish reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
How does a stinging catfish breed?
Wild stinging catfish spawn in flooded ground during the monsoon.
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