How many should be kept together?

Since this fish thrives in groups, it's best to keep at least 5-6 individuals together. Smaller groups tend to make the fish nervous and won't show the schooling behavior it's known for.

Can it be kept with other fish?

Yes, its calm temperament makes it compatible with similarly sized, peaceful tropical fish. Avoid pairing it with aggressive or large predatory species.

Why is its body transparent?

The see-through body that reveals its skeleton and organs is simply a natural feature of this species, not a sign of illness. It's one of the traits that makes this catfish so distinctive.

What should I feed it?

It can be raised on frozen and prepared foods. When first introduced, offering frozen foods like bloodworms helps it settle in before gradually adding prepared food to the diet.

Is it suitable for beginners?

It's generally considered an intermediate-level fish. Aquarists with some experience managing water quality will find it manageable to keep.

Glass Catfish

The Translucent Glass Catfish is one of the most striking catfish in the aquarium hobby, with a nearly transparent body that reveals its skeleton and internal organs. Kept in a group, its clear bodies catch the light as they swim together, creating an almost ethereal shimmer that becomes the centerpiece of any tank. Despite its whiskered, catfish-like face, it's an active swimmer that cruises the mid-water levels rather than hiding. Its temperament is calm and peaceful, rarely bothering tankmates. Since it eats frozen and prepared foods and benefits from stable conditions, it's generally considered a better fit for aquarists with some prior experience.

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Glass Catfish key facts

Care level: Intermediate
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Size: 8-12cm
Diet: Frozen food, Artificial feed
Notes: Keep in a group (5 or more recommended)
Flow & Placement: It holds position in mid-water current as a group, so a filter setup that creates flow matters. In weak current it never shows its natural active swimming.
Water Temperature & Quality: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water (pH 6.5-7.5) at 22-26°C. Sensitive to water changes, so avoid sudden shifts.
Tank Mates & Compatibility: Calm and non-aggressive; pairs well with peaceful small to medium fish. Hiding places help it settle.
Diet & Feeding: Prefers live and frozen foods such as frozen daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Dry food is often refused at first but accepted once accustomed.
Health & Cautions: Often in poor condition right after import, and takes time to stabilize after introduction. It prefers somewhat dim lighting.

TraitsGlass CatfishTransparentSchoolingUnique

About Glass Catfish

Translucent Glass Catfish: a see-through tropical fish that reveals its skeleton, best kept in schools. Learn about its 5-8 year lifespan, 8-12cm adult size, and care basics for this intermediate-level species.

7 things to know before welcoming a Glass Catfish

1Best Kept in a Group
Glass Catfish show their natural charm best when kept together rather than alone. In small numbers they tend to act nervous, but a proper group swims together confidently, displaying the shimmering schooling behavior they're known for.
2Choose Peaceful Tankmates
Because Glass Catfish are calm and non-aggressive, avoid housing them with boisterous or predatory fish that could stress them. Similarly sized, peaceful tropical fish make the best companions.
3Watch the Transparent Body
Because the body is naturally see-through, changes in clarity or coloration can be an early sign of illness or poor water quality. Daily visual checks make it easier to catch problems early.
4Start Feeding With Frozen Food
Glass Catfish accept frozen and prepared foods, but newly introduced fish can be shy eaters at first. Offering small amounts of frozen bloodworms helps them settle in before gradually transitioning to prepared diets.
5Provide Hiding Spots and Gentle Flow
Like many catfish, Glass Catfish appreciate driftwood or plants to retreat to. They also tend to prefer gentle water flow, so keeping filter output moderate helps create a comfortable environment.
6Plan for Size and Lifespan
Adults reach about 8-12cm, so a tank sized for a group of this length should be prepared in advance. With a lifespan of roughly 5-8 years, it's worth planning for a fish that will be part of your tank for the long term.
7Stabilize Water Quality First
Since this species can be sensitive, it's best to have a fully cycled, stable aquarium ready before introducing them. This is part of why the species is considered better suited to aquarists with some prior water-quality management experience.

Frequently asked questions about Glass Catfish

Q.How many should be kept together?: A.Since this fish thrives in groups, it's best to keep at least 5-6 individuals together. Smaller groups tend to make the fish nervous and won't show the schooling behavior it's known for.
Q.Can it be kept with other fish?: A.Yes, its calm temperament makes it compatible with similarly sized, peaceful tropical fish. Avoid pairing it with aggressive or large predatory species.
Q.Why is its body transparent?: A.The see-through body that reveals its skeleton and organs is simply a natural feature of this species, not a sign of illness. It's one of the traits that makes this catfish so distinctive.
Q.What should I feed it?: A.It can be raised on frozen and prepared foods. When first introduced, offering frozen foods like bloodworms helps it settle in before gradually adding prepared food to the diet.
Q.Is it suitable for beginners?: A.It's generally considered an intermediate-level fish. Aquarists with some experience managing water quality will find it manageable to keep.

Useful tools for Glass Catfish care

💧Aquarium Volume CalculatorCalculate water volume, weight, and heater wattage from tank dimensions 🧪Water Quality CheckerFind compatible fish, shrimp, plants & corals based on pH, temperature & hardness 🍽️Feeding GuideCheck feeding frequency, portion sizes & supplements by species and growth stage 🤝Compatibility CheckerCheck compatibility between two species on a 5-level scale 📊Fish Compatibility MatrixCheck fish compatibility at a glance with our matrix chart 🔄Nitrogen Cycle GuideAuto-calculate bacteria colonization timeline for new tank cycling 🗓️Seasonal Care CalendarMonthly care events and seasonal management tips at a glance 🚿Water Change CalculatorAuto-calculate optimal water change frequency and volume by tank size and fish count 🐠Stocking CalculatorCalculate max fish capacity for your tank size with overstocking alerts ⚡Electricity Cost SimulatorCalculate monthly and annual electricity costs for care equipment with presets 🧬Breeding PlannerSelect parent varieties to view breeding schedules and offspring patterns 🏞️Tank Layout PlannerGet substrate, plant & hardscape suggestions based on tank size and style 🧮Care Cost SimulatorEstimate initial, monthly & annual costs by category, care level and quantity ⚖️Species Comparison ToolCompare two species side by side: care difficulty, size, lifespan & temperature 🎯Pet Match DiagnosticAnswer 7 questions to find your top 3 perfect pets 📋Lifetime Cost SimulatorEstimate lifespan and lifetime costs by species for dogs, cats, reptiles and more 🚚Transport Safety CheckerCheck transport safety score and precautions by category, season, method and distance 💊Medication Dosage CalculatorCalculate proper medication dosage by body weight and medicine type for fish, reptiles, and small animals ⏱️Quarantine & Acclimation TimerManage quarantine periods and acclimation steps with countdown timers. Includes recommended durations by species

Learn more about Glass Catfish in the encyclopedia

View Glass Catfish encyclopedia entry →

Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

Glass Catfish related articles

Complete Glass Catfish Care Guide | Transparent Body, School Behavior, Water Quality, Tank Mates

Glass catfish live 5–8 years and reach 6–8 cm. A shy schooling fish that needs a group of five or more: tank size, water parameters, feeding, safe and unsafe tankmates, disease prevention, and breeding.

See more Glass Catfish articles →