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Catfish
/ Schilbeidae / African Glass Catfish
African Glass Catfish
Eutropiellus buffei | Pictures
SYN: Eutropius buffei, Eutropiellus vanderweyeri
PD: This catfish is elongated and has a distinctive, wide longitudinal black line that extends the length of the body. It has three pair of barbels and its dorsal fin is
tall. The body coloring is white to blue and somewhat translucent. There are two other stripes that become more pronounced with age. One extends along the top
of the back, while the other along the belly. In reflected light sometimes parts of this fish are gold to red. The African Glass Catfish has a long anal fin that is
deeply forked. Its eyes are large while the mouth is small. The fins are transparent.
SIZE: To 3.2" (8 cm)
SS: A similar species, Eutropiellus debauwi, from Malebo Pool (part of Stanley Pool, Zaire) can be distinguished by its rounded tips on the caudal fins. E.
debauwi is rarely seen.
HAB: Near riverbanks in floodplains. Central Africa: Southern Nigeria; Niger River watershed
S: middle
TANK: 32" (80 cm) or 30 gallons (114 l). Provide well-planted corners for retreats. The tank should have dim lighting caused by a cover of floating plants.
The tank should be arranged in dark colors to help comfort the fish. Use a filter that provides strong current and leave open swimming areas.
WATER: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 1-16 dH (7), 75-82°F (24-28°C)
SB: A peaceful, schooling fish that can be kept in a community tank. Keep in groups of at least six or more individuals. Single fish do poorly.
SC: Synodontis, Congo Tetras, Kribensis, Steatocranus
FOOD: Live; insect larvae, Tubifex, Brine Shrimp; flake.
SEX: Females are plumper
B: Stimulating the rainy season helps initiate spawning. Keep one male with two females. Up to 100, white eggs are laid among plants and they hatch in 2-5
days. The parents should be removed after eggs are laid. Fry are difficult to raise, try feeding them small live foods like Artemia. Once fry are established, they
grow quickly.
BP: 9. Breeding this catfish is very difficult.
R: This fish may nibble plants if not fed sufficient amounts of food. This fish's caudal fin is constantly moving, when resting or swimming. This fish may get
caught in a net because of spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins. Instead, use a glass or plastic bag to catch this catfish. This species was formally known as E.
vanderweyeri. Regular water changes are needed to keep this catfish in top condition.
DC: 4. A pleasant fish that requires a diet supplemented with live foods.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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