Asian Stream Catfish

About

Found tucked between rocks in clear, fast-moving hillstream riffles, Akysis pulvinatus is a tiny catfish native to the upper Tapi River drainage and hillstreams draining into the Andaman Sea on the Isthmus of Kra in Thailand. Like all members of the family Akysidae, often called Asian stream catfishes, it sports the group's characteristic tuberculate skin and a cryptic pattern of yellowish blotches or bands on a brownish base, which makes it practically invisible against a gravel and cobble substrate. It can be told apart from its closest relative, A. vespa, by a longer adipose fin base, a deeper caudal peduncle, and a slightly forked tail where the lower lobe runs longer than the upper, plus a distinctive yellow marking on the snout. Despite the "aggressive" flag on the care sheet, this fish is actually quite peaceable toward its own kind and toward similarly sized tankmates. Think Boraras, small danios, or nano-sized hillstream loaches and sisorid catfishes. It simply should not be housed with species large or bold enough to bully it. One practical note worth knowing: like all akysids, it carries venom glands at the base of its dorsal and pectoral spines. Nothing dangerous, but a painful reminder to be careful during tank maintenance. It has been exported for the hobby only rarely, so finding one may take some effort.