What is a Glass Catfish?
The kryptopterus vitreolus, more commonly known as the glass catfish, ghost catfish or phantom catfish, is a unique, popular variety of catfish. It remains one of the most popular fish for aquarium enthusiasts for several reasons.
In Nature
In nature, this fish can be found in the warm waters of Thailand. They enjoy swimming in along the riverbank or in the middle of a calm stream with a slow current. These fish are rarely if ever, found in larger bodies of water such as the ocean.
Current Location
Although they call Thailand home, the ghost catfish can be found all over the world due to their popularity. Fish owners across the globe enjoy owning them as pets, and they are found in warm water streams in various parts of the world due to them be re-homed in the outdoors.
Appearance/Characteristics
Glass catfish are known for their transparent appearance. This is one of the reasons that these fish are so popular among those that enjoy fish with a unique appearance. Their see-through skin makes it possible for fish owners to see their organs and bones.
Another reason that ghost catfish are a popular choice for aquarium owners is their calm temperament, which makes them a great tank mate for other fish. Rarely will one of these fish be aggressive towards other fish if they are properly fed.
This variety of glassfish will only grow to be approximately five inches long and will live for almost eight years.
The unique appearance and peaceful temperament of these fish make them one of the most sought-after pets for aquariums.
Aquariums
Glass catfish are relatively low maintenance when it comes to size and temperament, but they do require a lot of care that makes them less than ideal for beginner fish owners.
Experts recommend that owners have an aquarium that is at least 30 gallons. The larger the aquarium, the more these fish will enjoy their new home. Ghost catfish are known to hide if they are uncomfortable or in a shy mood, but, other than that, they enjoy swimming throughout their surroundings. If they feel too cramped, they will not be happy with their environment.
On the other hand, if there are not enough plants fish will not be comfortable either. Ghost catfish enjoy swimming among plants, which makes them feel safe. They also use plants to hide behind when they are scared or do not want to be seen. Not having enough tank accessories in an aquarium can make these fish uncomfortable as well.
Severe changes can be fatal for these fish, which is one of the reasons that they are not recommended for beginners. They need for the water temperature, ph balance, etc. to be the same as much as possible. If change is necessary, owners will need to make small adjustments so that the fish do not go into shock and die.
The transparent skin of the glass ghost fish combined with their calm attitude and elegant appearance as they swim makes them one of the most enjoyable fish to watch. Fish owners that would like to add a new, beautiful fish to their aquarium will enjoy owning one of these.
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