Glass Catfish Fact Sheet

One of the first fish I ever kept was a glass catfish named Casper. Predictably, he died because of sub-standard care (I was only 13 at the time) and I was afraid to brave glass catfish care again for nearly a decade. I recently rediscovered this under-appreciated beauty, and I'm glad to have the skills necessary to care for them properly.

When cared for correctly, glass catfish can reward fishkeepers with years of beauty and entertainment.

Know these facts about glass catfish before purchasing them.

Adult Size

Glass catfish stay small; adults rarely exceed three inches in length.

Tank Size

The glass catfish requires a 29-gallon aquarium or greater. Larger tanks accommodate the social and swimming needs of this relatively delicate freshwater fish.

Social Behavior

Many fishkeepers fail to keep these social animals in the group sizes necessary to maintain their health. Glass catfish need to live in schools of 8 or more individuals.

Tank Mates

The glass catfish is easily bullied by hardier, more aggressive species. Keep it with other gentle, social species with similar water-quality needs.

Life Span

When kept properly, glass catfish can live surprisingly long life-spans. Some have lived to be 8 years or older.

Diet

The glass catfish will not eat flake food unless they have been carefully trained to accept it. Feed glass catfish a steady diet of daphnia, bloodworms and brine shrimp. Frozen food is acceptable, but some won't eat it unless it's wriggling.

Breeding

The glass catfish will not breed in captivity. All pet-store specimens are wild-caught.

Water Parameters

Glass catfish are very sensitive to water conditions, so excellent filtration is a must. Do not allow nitrates to fluctuate above 10 ppm; keep ammonia undetectable. This species thrives in a narrow pH range of 6.5-7.

Temperature

The glass catfish can easily become dangerously hot or dangerously cold. Aim for a target temperature between 72-78 degrees.

Variations

No domesticated strains of glass catfish exist.

10 Facts About Albino Cory Catfsh

As a dedicated aquarist, some of my favorite fishy companions include a trio of albino corydoras catfish, or "cory cats" for short. These small, frisky, active catfish are excellent community fish and tolerate a wide range of water parameters. Because they are hardy, forgiving and social, albino cory cats are ideal pets for beginning fishkeepers.

Here are 10 interesting facts about albino cory catfish.

1. Most albino cory catfish are selectively bred from the bronze cory catfish, or Corydoras aeneus.

2. Albino corydoras catfish do not occur naturally in the wild; they have been bred exclusively for the commercial ornamental fish trade.

3. Most catfish are nocturnal, but the albino corydoras is most active during the day.

4. The name "corydoras" comes from the Greek kory (helmet) tand doras (skin). It literally translates to "helmet skin".

5. Albino cory catfish engage in an unusual mating behavior, in which the female attaches herself to the male's underside and drinks his sperm.

6. Female albino cory catfish are usually plumper than the males, but this is not a universal trait.

7. Cory catfish thrive at a temperature between 72-78 degrees. In homes that are kept consistently warm, they may thrive without a heater.

8. High nitrate levels can cause albino cory catfish to develop infected barbels; this makes it difficult for them to navigate and eat normally. Maintain nitrate levels below 20 ppm.

9. Most cory catfish die after 2-5 years in captivity. However, some live surprisingly long lives. One was recorded to live to be 27 years old!

10. Albino cory catfish sometimes rise to the water's surface to "drink" small amounts of air.

Visit Fishlore for more information about caring for albino cory cats.

Panda Cory Fact Sheet

The panda cory catfish is one of many hardy members of the corydoras genus. Corydoras catfish are ideal for beginners because they are small, lively and tolerant of a wide variety of water parameters. The panda cory catfish, with its adorably ursine markings, looks particularly stunning in a freshwater community aquarium. Before buying any of these enjoyable pets, know these important facts about panda corydoras catfish care.

Adult Fish Size

Adult panda corydoras cats stay small, never exceeding two inches.

Tank Size

This petite species can thrive in surprisingly small tanks. Five gallons is the bare minimum, but ten or more is best.

Strata

Like other cory catfish, panda cories inhabit the lower ranges of the aquarium.

Water pH

Panda cory cats can tolerate any pH between 6 and 7.5.

Water Parameters

Corydoras catfish are relatively forgiving of poor water parameters; they may tolerate nitrates as high as 40 ppm with few ill effects. It is best to keep nitrate levels below 30, with ammonia and nitrite undetectable.

Temperature

As a tropical species, the panda cory catfish thrives at relatively high temperatures. Keep its tank betweeen 73 and 80 degrees.

Tank Set-Up

Introduce your panda cory cats to a lightly planted tank. They are diurnal and enjoy relatively bright lighting.

Social Behavior

Keep panda corydoras in small groups of 3-6 individuals. They may socialize with other cory species, but they do not do well when they are kept alone.

Feeding

Feed your panda cory cats small, live food and sinking tablets. Some panda corydoras will eat flake food.

Upside-Down Catfish Fact Sheet

Upside-down catfish are among the most enjoyable bottom-dwelling fish available for the home aquarium. These spotted catfish remain small and entertain their keepers with their unconventionalswimming patterns. Although less common than some other ornamental catfish, the upside-down catfish deserves a second look as a member of a home aquarium. If you want to keep upside-down catfish in your own tank, know these facts about upside-down catfish care.

Adult Size

In general, an upside-down catfish will not exceed four inches in total adult length. Water conditions and tank size may play a role in the fish's adult size.

Tank Size

Keep your upside-down catfish in a ten-gallon fish tank or larger. A twenty to twenty-nine gallon tank is much better.

Strata

Upside-down catfish range in the middle and top ranges of an established home aquarium.

Water pH

Your upside-down catfish will do best in a tank with a pH between 6 and 7.5.

Water Parameters

Nitrates in your aquarium should remain below 40 at all times. The upside-down catfish is sensitive to ammonia; keep levels of this toxic compound as low as possible.

Temperature

As a tropical fish, the upside-down catfish will generally do best at a temperature between 75 and 82 degrees.

Set-Up

Provide your upside-down catfish with a well-planted tank with plenty of roots or driftwood. Java moss, amazon sword and java fern are all good choices for live plants.

Social Behavior

Maintain a school of at least three upside-down catfish. They are social animals and do best in large groups. As a peaceful, non-territorial species, the upside-down catfish can thrive in a complex community aquarium.

Feeding

The upside-down catfish's favorite food is black mosquito larvae, but it will also accept bloodworm, tubifex and tablet foods. Your upside-down catfish may accept small amounts of flake food.

Varieties

No domesticated strains of upside-down catfish exist, although some black mutations occur naturally in the wild.