Common Name: Glass Catfish, Asian Glass Catfish, Ghost Catfish
Native Name: "Limpok"
Scientific Name: Kryptopterus bicirrhus (CUVIER & VALENCIENNES 1839)
Pronounced: Krip-top'te-rus by-si'rus
Meaning of Name: Kryptopterus, hidden fin, an illusion to the almost invisible one-rayed
dorsal fin; bicirrhus, with two hairs (whiskers).
Categories: Family: Siluridae [Si lu'ri dee]
Origins: Java, Sumatra, Borneo, India, Southeast Asia

Description: The body is elongated, laterally compressed and is glassy, translucent in
color with a yellow tinge shifting in hues. It's internal organs are visible behind the head in
a silvery sac. The caudal fin, which has a black tinge, is divided with the lower lobe being
slightly larger. The blackish tinge is also found in the dorsal fin, having only a single ray,
along with the pectoral and anal fins, and also the head and upperside. The anal fin is very
long. In what would be the shoulder, above each pectoral fin, the area is a shiny violet color. There is a single set of barbels above the wide mouth. No sexing information available. It is very susceptible to white spot (Ichthyophthiriasas).
Diet: Insectivorous. Live food of all kinds. Daphnia, Tubifex, glassworms, and enchytraeids.
Will take flake as a supplement.
Environment: Found in clear streams. A large well planted tank, with the water temperature between 68-82F. (20-27.8C.), pH: 6.2-7.0, dH: 5-16, and not too deep. Likes the middle
level of the tank with flowing water.
Tank Mates: Community. Keep in a small group with other peaceful fish.
Breeding: Not known.