Phantom Glass Catfish Fact Sheet

The Phantom Glass Catfish is often identified asOther suitable companions include Diamond Tetras,
Kryptopterus bicirrhis, but the ones offered for saleSplashing Tetras, White Cloud Mountain Minnows,
are more likely to be Kryptopterus minor, a similarCherry Barbs, Penguin Tetras, Pristella Tetras,
but rather smaller species. Kryptopterus bicirrhis willGlowlight Tetras, Red EyeTetras, Silvertip Tetras,
grow to about 10 inches (25cm) long whileGold Barbs, Rummy Nose Tetras, Scissortail
Kryptopterus minor only grows to about 3 inchesRasboras, Lemon Tetras, Emperor Tetras, Head and
(8cm). The Phantom Glass Catfish is sometimes calledTail Light Tetras, Glass Bloodfin Tetras, Swordtails,
the Glass Catfish, Ghost Catfish, or the Asian Catfish.Platies, Mollies, Zebra Danios, Black Widow Tetras,
There is a further possible confusion with the AfricanRosy Barbs, Tiger Barbs, Paraguay Tetras, Buenos
Glass Catfish, Parailia pellucida, sometimes being soldAires Tetras and Colombian Tetras. They are also OK
as the Glass Catfish.with Siamese Fighting Fish, Guppies and Endlers
The Phantom Glass Catfish comes from South EastGuppies.
Asia including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. ItBreeding
comes from streams with sluggish currents, oftenIt is claimed that in Asia techniques have been
with areas of still water.worked out for breeding the Phantom Glass Catfish.
Water ConditionsIf this is so, I have been unable to find out the
In the wild the water this fish often lives in is cloudymethod. Possibly the commercial people who do this
with suspended sediments. In these conditions thisprefer not to tell possible competitors about their
transparent fish is very difficult to see; fish'smethods.
transparency acts as an excellent camouflage. This isThere have been rare reports of the breeding of this
not a condition normally aimed for in a homefish and these suggestions are based on these
aquarium.reports.
In an aquarium they will take neutral water (7). AFeed well before hand with live food such as
temperature of 24 degrees C (75 degrees F) ismosquito larvae. Simulate the start of the rainy
suitable. We have no trouble with the moderateseason by daily partial water changes using soft
hardness of our Adelaide Hills water with this fish.water. Lower the water level and lower the
The tank should be heavily planted.temperature by about 2 degrees C (3 degrees F).
FoodThe eggs, in the unlikely event that you succeed in
This fish is a predator. It will eat other fish up to thegetting any, are laid on plants, perhaps a couple of
size of a newly born Guppy. More normal foods for ithundred from each female.
include mosquito larvae and Daphnia. I find that theyThe parents should be removed and the fry fed on
will eat a normal, good quality fish flake without anysmall live food.
trouble but I have seen reports of them beingFish Sauce
difficult to feed.The Phantom Glass Catfish is a major ingredient of
Companionssome of the salty fish sauces used in Asian cooking.
The Phantom Glass Catfish is much moreWild Caught
comfortable in a school of at least 5.Unlike the great majority of the fish we sell, at least
Although the Phantom Glass Catfish is a predator, itsome of our Phantom Glass Catfish are caught in the
is peaceful to other fish as long as is cannot swallowwild. This fish is very common in some places and is
them with its quite small mouth. They will certainlynot threatened.
eat baby fish, but all reasonable sized adult fish, evenPest Fish
small Neon Tetras, Cardinal Tetras and Green NeonDo not release any pet fish into the wild, or keep
Tetras are safe.them where they can escape.