Torrent catfish
Glyptothorax dorsalis
Also known as Dorsalis torrent cat
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
- Origin
- Irrawaddy and upper Salween basins
- Family
- Sisoridae
Overview
The torrent catfish is a robust, current-loving sisorid for a dedicated river tank. It is social and can be kept in a small group, holding onto boulders and glass and patrolling stone with the confidence of a fish built for whitewater. It is peaceful toward other strong, flow-loving tankmates of similar size and pays them no attention. It needs the real thing: heavy flow, high oxygen, and cool, clean water, so plan the tank around river hardware rather than plants. Feed sinking foods into the current, worms, frozen bloodworm, and small pellets. Allow around 160 liters or more with brisk flow.
In the wild
Glyptothorax dorsalis lives in boulder-strewn rapids of the Irrawaddy and upper Salween basins, one of the larger torrent cats in those rivers, gripping rock where the water runs hardest. Copy that with a scape of large smooth stones, strong flow, and heavy oxygenation. Keep it cool and clean at 20–26 C and around pH 6.0–7.5, and avoid warm, still water, which it will not tolerate for long.
Good to know
Glyptothorax dorsalis is a torrent catfish, family Sisoridae, reaching about 15 centimeters, among the larger members of its genus in the Irrawaddy and Salween. It clings to rock with the ridged thoracic adhesive pad that defines Glyptothorax, and it has not been bred in the aquarium.
Did you know
It makes its living in mountain rapids, holding position in water fast enough to knock most fish off their feet. The whole shape of the fish, flattened and low-slung, is a design for pinning itself to rock in a torrent.
Tank mates
Torrent catfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Ruby-tinted barb
Dawkinsia rubrotinctaFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)42 gal (160 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)
Porthole rasbora
Rasbora cephalotaeniaFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)42 gal (160 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Sucker-head garra
Garra gotylaFreshwater5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)64–77°F (18–25°C)Annandale danio
Devario annandaleiFreshwater4.3 in (11 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Blue acara
Andinoacara pulcherFreshwater5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Kerala garra
Garra surendranathaniiFreshwater5.9 in (15 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°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 do Torrent catfish need?
Torrent catfish are comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Torrent catfish get?
An adult Torrent catfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Torrent catfish?
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Related species
Indian copper catfish
Glyptothorax telchittaFreshwater5.9 in (15 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Blotched sisorid catfish
Glyptothorax macromaculatusFreshwater6.3 in (16 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Hillstream torrent catfish
Glyptothorax lamprisFreshwater4.7 in (12 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Striped sisorid catfish
Glyptothorax schmidtiFreshwater3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Banded sisorid catfish
Glyptothorax buchananiFreshwater2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Clown gagata catfish
Gagata dolichonemaFreshwater5.1 in (13 cm)42 gal (160 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)