Mystus mysticetus

Classification

Bagridae

Distribution

Laos, Thailand, Cambodia.

Habitat

It lives in rivers, migrating into flooded areas of forests during the wet season. It tends to occur in shoals around submerged logs, rocks and other objects.

Maximum Standard Length

5.2″ (13cm).

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

48″ x 12″ x 12″ (120cm x 30cm x 30cm) – 110 litres.

Maintenance

The decor used is not critical but the fish must be provided with some hiding places. Driftwood pieces would simulate it’s natural habitat. You will see it more often if the surface is covered in floating plants to cut down the light reaching the substrate.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 72-81°F (22-27°C)

pH: 6.0-7.0

Hardness: 3-10°H

Diet

Like most other Mystus, M. mysticetus is an unfussy feeder accepting most small live, frozen and dried foods. Try to keep the diet varied.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

A peaceful and gregarious species but it will probably eat small fish when adult. It makes a good bottom dweller for communities of larger peaceful fish, such as larger rasboras, barbs, anabantoids and peaceful cichlids. It can be kept in a small group in a suitably large tank.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males possess quite a long genital papilla located just in front of the anal fin.

Reproduction

Not thought to have been achieved in aquaria.

NotesTop ↑

Apparently this species is often seen living and feeding with a congener, M. multiradiatus in large shoals. It is the only species of Mystus to possess laterally positioned eyes, all the others having their eyes in a dorsolateral position. It is an ideal peaceful catfish for larger communities and as with many other bagrids, is in our opinion somewhat underrated in the hobby.