Glass catfish – features of maintenance, breeding ghost fish

Glass catfish, sometimes referred to as ghost catfish, are interesting and distinctive accents to any aquarium. They look almost ethereal due to their transparent bodies, which makes them a prominent feature in both community and freshwater tanks. These fish can add a magical touch to your aquarium setup because of their delicate, almost ghostly appearance.

Glass catfish have particular needs and are sensitive, so they require extra care to keep them healthy. Well-established tanks with consistent water conditions are ideal for their growth. They like places where they can hide and feel safe, so it’s important to provide them a well-planted tank and hiding places. Maintaining a small school will enable these fish to feel more at ease and exhibit their natural behaviors, as they are highly gregarious and thrive in social environments.

Because glass catfish are not the easiest species to breed in captivity, breeding them can be a little difficult. Their successful spawning depends on a number of specific requirements. Water quality, temperature, and diet all need to be carefully considered in order to create the ideal environment. Patience and persistence are key, as breeding may still be elusive even under ideal conditions.

In general, glass catfish are an intriguing option for aquarium enthusiasts who are prepared to satisfy their particular requirements. If you are ready to provide them with the proper environment and care, they are a rewarding species to care for because of their distinctive appearance and fascinating behavior.

Biotope

Aquarium glass catfish are a unique and stunning species of fish. Its intriguing name comes from the fact that it is entirely pigment-free. Southeast Asia is the fish’s native land. This habitat is rather expansive. The river systems of contemporary Thailand and Indonesia are included.

Representatives can be found in still, slowly moving water. They would rather live in a muddy aquatic habitat in the wild. They typically remain in little groups beside the river current, where they can spot prey swimming by.

Any aquarium enthusiast will find glass catfish to be fascinating creatures due to their translucent bodies, which give them an intriguing and spectral appearance. We’ll go over the essentials of taking care of glass catfish in this article, including their diet, social behaviors, and habitat requirements. We’ll also go over how to breed these unusual fish, providing helpful hints and advice to help you establish the best possible conditions for their well-being and procreation. Having a better understanding of these factors will help you enjoy and care for glass catfish in your aquarium, regardless of experience level.

Characteristics of the fish

All catfish, including the glass catfish, have an elongated body. Adults range in size from 7-8 centimeters.

The fish’s spine and ribs are clearly visible due to its transparent body, which is its primary characteristic. The silvery bag containing the internal organs directly behind the head is the only opaque area. Because of their coloring, the fish are less noticeable to predators in the water.

The glass catfish’s body takes on a metallic sheen and a variety of rainbow hues as the lighting changes. Two long antennae are located on the head, close to the mouth. The head is tiny and angular. From the head to the tail is the anal fin.

The only way to tell a female from a male is by size. In fish, sexual dimorphism is not expressed. Compared to the male, the female is bigger and fuller. Other noticeable sexual traits are absent from this species of catfish.

Many publications and sources continue to use the incorrect scientific name for glass catfish because it was not until 2013 that they were recognized as a distinct species.

Glass catfish are very easy to keep and are not very picky. A 100–120 liter tank will suffice for a school of 5–6 fish. Arrange various decorations and shelters, such as driftwood and embankments, on the bottom. Since transparent fish have a tendency to jump out of the tank, the aquarium must have a lid.

The following requirements should be met by the water:

• temperature — + 20… + 24˚С;
• hardness — no more than 10 dH;
• acidity — no higher than 7 pH.

Soil and plants can be any type. In this regard, catfish are not particular.

The plants that are most often selected are:

When selecting soil, take its texture into account. There shouldn’t be any jagged or uneven edges where the fish could cut itself or harm its body or fins.

Remember to use the aerator and filter. This apparatus needs to be inside the tank.

The bare minimum of gear needed consists of:

Strong currents are disliked by catfish. Make use of a low-power filter. This makes it simple to create a weak current or stagnant water, which mimics the catfish’s natural habitat as closely as possible.

The glass catfish is a tiny predator found in nature that feeds on invertebrates and zooplankton.

The fish can be fed the following foods at home:

It’s important to vary the diet. If you only give dry food to your catfish, this could weaken its immune system and cause illnesses to arise. Like other fish species, feeding soms should only be done twice a day. Ideal: once. Don’t let extra feed sink to the bottom for an extended period of time. Observe the portion size. The fish should be able to consume all of the food in five to ten minutes.

If you take good care of them and set up ideal living conditions, they will bring you joy for many years.

Glass prefers to be in the upper and middle layers of the water, in contrast to other types of soms.

Breeding

In an aquarium at home, divorce is practically nonexistent. Those who sign up for the sale are either divorced or caught up in nature on Southeast Asian farms. It is very hard to have children at home. The issue stems from the necessity of simulating the rainy season in a tropical environment.

It is feasible for both flocks and pairs to spawn. They were fed high-white feed a week prior to the manufacturers’ propagation, and then they were moved into a spawning aquarium. Lowering the water level to half of its typical level and lowering the temperature to 22–24°C are required to encourage spawning. Every day, a quarter of the aquarium’s water is replaced. Additionally, soft water (up to 5% of the total volume) must be added to the aquarium daily in order to gradually reduce the water’s hardness.

Glass catfish spawning characteristics include:

• When creating optimal conditions, the male fertilizes the eggs of the females;
• One female at a time is capable of laying from 150 to 200 eggs;
• After spawning, adult fish are returned to the common tank;
• After a few days, larvae appear, which after a couple of days become fry;
• Rotifers and nauplii are used to feed the young.

There are 100–200 eggs fertile females. The producers are then taken out of the spawning tank once they are mostly laid on plant leaves. Incubation of caviares can last up to seven days. In soms, puberty sets in between 1.5 and 2 years of age.

Glass catfish are interesting and distinctive aquarium additions. Their spectral appearance is a result of their transparent bodies, which set them apart in a well-designed tank. Understanding these fish’s unique requirements, such as those related to water quality and tank mates, is essential to properly caring for them. They do best in settings with clean, well-filtered, and consistently warm water. They will feel more comfortable and inclined to exhibit their natural behaviors in a tank with lots of hiding places and a gentle water flow.

Because glass catfish are not the easiest species to breed in captivity, breeding them can be a little difficult. To promote spawning, they need an environment that is strictly regulated. It’s crucial to give them ideal water conditions and a good breeding environment, like a separate breeding tank filled with the right plants. Patience and attention to detail are essential because glass catfish are known to be somewhat elusive breeders, even with the correct setup.

In conclusion, glass catfish are a rewarding species for devoted aquarium enthusiasts despite not being the easiest fish to maintain or breed. This is due to their distinctive appearance and intriguing behavior. With the correct conditions and a little extra attention, you can appreciate the beauty and mystery these "ghost fish" add to your aquatic environment.

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