Helmet Catfish

About

Found hugging the clear-water bottoms of rivers in China's Guangxi Province, Cranoglanis bouderius is a substantial catfish that doesn't get nearly as much attention in the hobby as it deserves. In the Zhujiang River valley it's actually well known as a table fish, which tells you something about how robust and productive these animals can be in the right conditions. In the aquarium it behaves much as it does in the wild. A bottom-dwelling predator that spends its time cruising the substrate in search of food. Its natural diet leans toward shrimp and small fish, so tankmates need to be chosen carefully; anything that fits in its mouth is fair game. Growing anywhere from ten to seventeen inches as an adult, this is not a fish you can squeeze into a modest setup, and a generous footprint with plenty of bottom space is really non-negotiable. The intermediate care rating reflects the space commitment more than any particular fussiness about water conditions, since it's fairly adaptable within a reasonable range. If you have the room and an interest in Asian riverine species that go beyond the usual suspects, this catfish makes for an engaging and unusual centerpiece.