Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus) – Stunning transparent fish with graceful movement. Adds a mesmerizing, ghostlike beauty to calm, well-lit aquariums.

The Glass Catfish, also known as Kryptopterus vitreolus, is a truly mesmerizing freshwater fish prized for its translucent body and graceful swimming patterns. Its nearly invisible form allows you to see internal organs and skeletal structure, giving your aquarium a ghostlike, ethereal quality that captivates viewers of all ages.

Glass Catfish are peaceful, social, and ideal for community tanks, making them a favorite among both novice aquarists and experienced hobbyists. Their gentle demeanor ensures harmony with other tank inhabitants, while their schooling behavior adds dynamic movement and interest to mid and upper levels of planted aquariums.

🐾 Key Features & Benefits

✔ Striking Transparent Appearance

Glass Catfish are famous for their see-through bodies, which reveal their delicate internal anatomy. This unique transparency creates a mesmerizing visual effect, perfect for aquascapes where subtle elegance is desired.

✔ Peaceful Schooling Fish

These catfish thrive in groups of 5 or more, forming synchronized schools that glide gracefully through the water. Schooling reduces stress, encourages natural behavior, and creates a stunning display in any freshwater setup.

✔ Hardy & Beginner-Friendly

Despite their delicate appearance, Glass Catfish are adaptable and hardy, making them suitable for intermediate aquarists with some attention to water quality. They are gentle, calm, and easy to care for when provided with appropriate conditions.

✔ Active Midwater Swimmers

Unlike bottom-dwelling catfish, Glass Catfish are midwater foragers, gracefully moving through plants and open spaces. Their serene, gliding motion adds elegance and life to peaceful, planted, or community tanks.

🌱 Glass Catfish Care & Habitat

Tank & Environment

• Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a small school (larger groups recommended)

• Temperature: 73–82°F (23–28°C)

• pH: 6.5–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

• Substrate & Decor: Sand or fine gravel; plenty of plants and hiding spots

• Lighting: Moderate lighting enhances visibility without stressing fish

Diet & Feeding

• Omnivorous with preference for live, frozen, or high-quality flake/pellet foods

• Accepts bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and sinking foods

• Feed small amounts 1–2 times daily to avoid overfeeding

Behavior & Social Needs

• Peaceful and calm, ideal for community tanks

• Must be kept in schools of 5–10 to feel secure

• Best paired with other non-aggressive, similarly sized species

🌿 Aquarium Benefits

• Adds a unique ghostlike aesthetic with transparent bodies

• Provides calm, flowing movement that enhances tank serenity

• Compatible with planted tanks, nano setups, and peaceful community aquariums

• Encourages natural schooling and social behaviors for dynamic displays

⚠️ Important Notes

• Always keep in groups to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling

• Sensitive to sudden water changes or poor water quality

• Avoid aggressive or large tank mates

• Provide plants, driftwood, or gentle currents to mimic natural habitats

The Glass Catfish is a must-have centerpiece for aquariums, offering otherworldly elegance, peaceful behavior, and captivating schooling dynamics. Its unique transparency sets it apart from ordinary fish, turning any freshwater tank into a living, gliding masterpiece. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned aquarist, adding a school of Glass Catfish will elevate the beauty, tranquility, and charm of your aquatic environment.