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Striped mystus

Mystus vittatus

Also known as Striped catfish

FreshwaterFish

Striped mystus (Mystus vittatus)
(c) Dmytro Oleksii , some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
8.3 in
21 cm
Minimum tank
60 gal
227 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Bagridae
Origin
South Asia (Indian subcontinent: India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka)

Overview

The striped mystus is a bottom-dwelling catfish that forages at night alongside its group. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The striped mystus is named for the pale stripes along its body, but its real working tools are the long barbels around its mouth. At night it uses those whiskers to taste and feel its way over the substrate, finding food long after the tank goes quiet.

Caring for the striped mystus

Keep striped mystus in a group of five or more, since lone fish hide away and stress. A group needs a sand-bottomed tank of at least 60 gal (227 L), with dim lighting and lots of hiding spots. Driftwood, caves, lengths of PVC and robust plants all work.

Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They take a fairly wide hardness range, and as a freshwater fish they need no salt. They come out to forage after dark and settle and feed best when the lights are low.

Striped mystus are mostly peaceful but will prey on anything small enough to swallow. Pair them with medium, robust tank mates such as larger barbs, danios, gouramis or rainbowfish. The pectoral and dorsal fins carry sharp, mildly venomous spines with a painful sting, so net and handle them carefully.

They are egg scatterers with no parental care, and breeding them in home tanks is rare and hard. Where they are not native, never release them, and check your local rules, since large catfish are restricted in some regions.

Good to know

The striped mystus belongs to the catfish family Bagridae. FishBase lists a wild maximum around 21 cm, though aquarium fish usually stop closer to 12 to 15 cm.

In the wild

The striped mystus comes from rivers, streams and ponds across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. These are slow to moderate waters with soft beds and plenty of submerged cover.

Common questions

What size tank does a striped mystus need?

A striped mystus needs at least 60 gal (227 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a striped mystus need?

A striped mystus is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does a striped mystus get?

An adult striped mystus reaches about 8.3 in (21 cm).

Does a striped mystus need a group?

Yes. A striped mystus is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a striped mystus breed?

Striped mystus are egg scatterers and give their eggs no parental care. Breeding them in home tanks is rare and hard.

Related species