Glass Catfish

The Glass Catfish, also known as the Ghost Catfish or Phantom Catfish, is one of the most unique and mesmerizing fish in the aquarium hobby. Native to slow-moving waters in Thailand, these fish are completely transparent, allowing you to see their skeleton and internal organs through their clear bodies. They have a delicate, elongated body shape with long barbels and appear almost ethereal as they swim in groups through the water. Their transparency is a natural camouflage adaptation in their native habitat. Glass Catfish are schooling fish that must be kept in groups to feel secure and display their natural behaviors. Their unique appearance makes them a conversation piece in any aquarium, but their specific care requirements and sensitivity to water conditions make them better suited for intermediate aquarists. When kept in ideal conditions with compatible tank mates, their ghostly appearance creates a stunning visual effect.

Care Requirements

Tank Setup

Glass Catfish require a well-established, mature aquarium with stable water parameters. A 30-gallon tank is ideal for a school of 6-8 specimens. Provide soft, acidic water with gentle filtration to avoid strong currents. Use dark substrate and background to make their transparent bodies more visible. Densely planted areas provide security while open swimming space allows them to school.

Water Quality

• Temperature: 75-82°F (24-28°C)
• pH: 6.0-7.0 (soft, acidic water essential)
• Water Hardness: Soft, 1-8 dGH
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm (extremely sensitive)
• Nitrate: <10 ppm

Feeding

These carnivores prefer live or frozen foods such as daphnia, brine shrimp, and mosquito larvae. They may be hesitant to accept prepared foods initially. Target feeding with turkey basters or pipettes helps ensure they receive adequate nutrition. Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily due to their small stomachs.

Behavior & Compatibility

Glass Catfish are extremely shy and must be kept in schools of 6 or more to display any confidence. They are easily stressed by boisterous or aggressive tank mates and should only be housed with other peaceful, small species. Their transparency makes them difficult targets for predators, but stress can cause them to lose their clear appearance.

Tips for Success

• Absolutely must be kept in schools of 6+; solitary specimens will waste away from stress
• Extremely sensitive to water parameters; only add to mature, stable tanks
• Dark background and substrate make them easier to see
• Avoid any aggressive or fast-moving tank mates
• They are most active in dimly lit conditions or during evening hours
• Regular small water changes help maintain the pristine conditions they require