HomeFreshwater aquarium fishCatfish & plecosGlass catfish Glass catfish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis) Scientific name: Kryptopterus bicirrhis Valenciennes, 1840 The Glass catfish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis) is a freshwater fish of the family Siluridae that grows to about 15 cm (5.9 in). It is easy to keep and peaceful, suits community aquariums and needs a tank of at least 150 L (40 US gal), water at 21–26°C (70–79°F) and a pH of 6.5–7.0. Native range: Asia, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins; Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Glass catfish care at a glanceCare levelEasyTemperamentPeacefulCommunity tankGoodAdult size15 cm (5.9 in)Minimum tank150 L (40 US gal)Temperature21–26°C (70–79°F)pH6.5–7.0Hardness8–18 dGH (143–321 ppm)DietCarnivore. Accepts live foods, bloodworms and brine shrimp. BiologyAnal soft rays: 55 - 68. Rudimentary dorsal fin; the maxillary barbels reaching to the anal fin; 55-68 anal rays. Dorsal profile arched with a nuchal concavity; pectoral-fin length greater than head length.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameKryptopterus bicirrhisFamilySiluridae (Sheatfishes)OrderSiluriformes (Catfish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length15.0EnvironmentFreshwater; benthopelagicClimateTropicalDistributionAsia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins; Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesFisheries: commercial; aquarium: highly commercialResilienceHigh, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.) More catfish & plecosCascarudoCallichthys callichthysLeopard corydorasCorydoras juliiBluespotted corydorasCorydoras melanistiusPeppered corydorasCorydoras paleatusReticulated corydorasCorydoras reticulatusWhiptail catfishFarlowella acusSee all catfish & plecos Can it live with...?Glass catfish and Black ghostGlass catfish and Black sharkminnowGlass catfish and Blackbarred limiaGlass catfish and Bleeding-heart tetraGlass catfish and Bloodfin tetraGlass catfish and Bluespotted corydorasGlass catfish and Brilliant rasboraGlass catfish and Butterfly splitfinGlass catfish and CascarudoGlass catfish and Chinese suckerGlass catfish and Clown barbGlass catfish and Clown loachGlass catfish and Clown rasboraGlass catfish and Crescent bettaGlass catfish and Dwarf botiaGlass catfish and Dwarf rainbowfishGlass catfish and Eel LoachGlass catfish and Emerald catfishGlass catfish and Forktail rainbowfishGlass catfish and Gangetic leaffishGlass catfish and Garnet tetraGlass catfish and Glowlight tetraGlass catfish and Goldeneye cichlidGlass catfish and Gulf gambusiaGlass catfish and Head-and-taillight tetraGlass catfish and Horseface loachGlass catfish and Indian glassy fishGlass catfish and Lake Kutubu rainbowfishGlass catfish and Leopard corydorasGlass catfish and Mosquitofish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Aquarium care parameters compiled, checked and converted to metric and imperial units by Guppies.za.net.Last updated 28 September 2026