Red Tilapia

Approx. 0.5"

Best kept in a well-decorated set-up with aquatic vegetation and woody structures. The addition of some floating plants to diffuse the light entering the aquarium also seems to be appreciated and the addition of dried leaf litter can add a natural feel. Filtration, or at least water flow, should be relatively gentle, and use a soft substrate if possible since Oreichthys species have miniscule sensory bristles on the lower jaw which are used when foraging.

Unsuitable for most community aquaria as it may be intimidated or outcompeted for food by larger or more boisterous tankmates. Small, peaceful cyprinids such as Trigonostigma or Boraras species make good choices and we suspect it will also do ok with many South American characins, Otocinclus or pygmy Corydoras catfishes. Potential additions from the Ganges basin include Badis badis, Pangio pangia, and Colisa chuna. Although gregarious by nature it’s a shoaling rather than schooling fish which develops a distinct pecking order and rival males will exhibit some interesting sparring behaviour in captivity. It’s best maintained in a group of 8 or more but the tank must be decorated in such a way that many broken lines of sight are provided. If kept singly, in a very small group or in cramped conditions it can become withdrawn and subdominant fish may be bullied incessantly. Will accept dried foods of a suitable size but should not be fed these exclusively. Daily meals of small live and frozen fare such as Daphnia, Artemia, and suchlike will result in the best colouration and encourage the fish to come into breeding condition. Temperature: 24 – 28 °C pH: 6.5 – 7.5 Hardness: 90 – 268 ppm

Approx. 2" - 2.5" Glass Catfish lack body pigment and are transparent.   They have a slender body, an anal fin that extends almost from the head to the forked caudal fin, two long barbels, and usually only grow to about 3″ in length.   Most of their organs are located towards the head and although they are transparent, they have an iridescent rainbow color when the light strikes them at the right angle. Glass Catfish are a timid, non-aggressive, mid water swimming species that prefer hiding in the darker areas of the river.  They are frequently collected while hiding under logs, elevated rock outcroppings, and in the shadows of overhanging vegetation in areas with a good amount of water movement. In an aquarium environment, they need a densely planted tank with a lot of swimming area, a gentle amount of current, and some driftwood roots for shelter. A generous growth of aquatic plants is imperative to their well being, and floating plants should also be included in their tank to filter out bright lighting. In their natural habitat they are found in small schools, and should be kept with at least 5 or 6 of their own kind in a community tank setting with other peaceful fish of the same size. They do well with the smaller tetras, Corydoras, etc. Glass catfish are relatively delicate and are extremely sensitive to changes in water quality and pH. They do best in soft (less than 10 ° dGH), slightly acidic (pH 6.5) water, at a temperature around 77 °F. A good quality filter that provides some water movement is necessary for this species. Glass Catfish in an aquarium environment are reputedly finicky eaters however, they will accept live, frozen, or freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. They can be weaned to accept flake foods. Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful Water Conditions: 75-80° F, KH 8-12, pH 6.5-7.0 Max. Size: 3″” Color Form: Clear Diet: Omnivore Compatibility: Community Origin: Thailand Family: Siluridae Lifespan: 3-6 years Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate/Advanced