Moth Catfish

About

Found in slow-moving hill streams, rivers, and shallow wetlands across India and Bangladesh, Hara jerdoni is a tiny catfish that rarely exceeds an inch and a half even at full maturity. Along with other members of its genus and the closely related Erithistes, it goes by the name moth catfish. A nod to the mottled patterning and distinctive silhouette the fish displays when viewed from above. This species in particular can be told apart from its relatives by its noticeably elongated pectoral spines. In the aquarium it is shy and decidedly slow-paced, spending most of its time hunkered near the substrate and becoming more active after the lights go out. It is genuinely peaceful and does well with other small, non-boisterous species. Think nano danios, Dario species, or similarly sized Asian stream fish. The key thing to watch is competition at feeding time: because Hara jerdoni is so unhurried, any active bottom-dwellers in the same tank will reliably beat it to food. Keeping a small group is strongly recommended, as individuals are noticeably more settled and confident with company. Breeding has occurred in captivity on occasion, with eggs reportedly deposited in spawning mops, though documented accounts remain scarce.