Torrent catfish
Glyptothorax dorsalis
Also known as Dorsalis torrent cat
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 68–79°F
- 20–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 5.9 in
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 42 gal
- 160 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Sisoridae
- Origin
- Irrawaddy and upper Salween basins
Overview
The torrent catfish is a robust, current-loving sisorid for a dedicated river tank. It is peaceful and best kept by someone with a little experience.
Did you know
The torrent catfish makes its living in mountain rapids, holding position in water fast enough to sweep most fish away. Its flattened, low-slung body is built for pinning itself to rock in a torrent.
Caring for the torrent catfish
Give the torrent catfish at least 42 gal (160 L), planned around river hardware rather than plants. Build a scape of large smooth stones with strong flow and heavy oxygenation. It holds onto boulders and glass and patrols the stone like a fish built for whitewater.
Keep the water cool and clean, at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Avoid warm, still water, which it will not tolerate for long. Feed sinking foods into the current, such as worms, frozen bloodworm and small pellets.
The torrent catfish is social and can live in a small group, though it is also fine alone. It is peaceful toward other strong, flow-loving fish of similar size and pays them no attention. It has not been bred in the aquarium.
Good to know
Glyptothorax dorsalis is a torrent catfish in the family Sisoridae. It is among the larger members of its genus in the Irrawaddy and Salween. It clings to rock with a ridged adhesive pad on its chest, the feature that defines Glyptothorax.
In the wild
The torrent catfish lives in boulder-strewn rapids of the Irrawaddy and upper Salween basins. It grips rock where the water runs hardest.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The torrent catfish is a peaceful, social 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.
Striped panchax
Aplocheilus lineatus
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 30 gal (115 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)
Apsara barb
Dawkinsia apsara
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Chinese spiny loach
Cobitis sinensis
Freshwater6 in (15.3 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)59–75°F (15–24°C)
Forest halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon pogonognathus
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 34 gal (130 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Assam giant danio
Devario assamensis
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Slender horseface loach
Acantopsis ioa
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a torrent catfish need?
A torrent catfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a torrent catfish need?
A torrent catfish is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a torrent catfish eat?
A torrent catfish eats sinking foods fed into the current, such as worms, frozen bloodworm and small pellets.
How big does a torrent catfish get?
An adult torrent catfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Related species
5.9 in (15 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Indian copper catfish
Glyptothorax telchitta
5.9 in (15 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
6.3 in (16 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Blotched sisorid catfish
Glyptothorax macromaculatus
6.3 in (16 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)
4.7 in (12 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Hillstream torrent catfish
Glyptothorax lampris
4.7 in (12 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Striped sisorid catfish
Glyptothorax schmidti
3.9 in (10 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Banded sisorid catfish
Glyptothorax buchanani
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Clown gagata catfish
Gagata dolichonema
5.1 in (13 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)