Day's mystus

About

A medium-sized bagrid catfish from South Asia, Mystus bleekeri ranges across a wide arc from Pakistan through India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar all the way to Indonesia, turning up in rivers, lakes, canals, and shallow wetland pools. It looks similar to the more commonly seen Mystus vittatus, but you can tell them apart by this species' larger adult size and noticeably longer adipose fin. A useful field mark once you know to look for it. The body carries the classic bagrid silhouette: slender, whiskered, and built for life near the bottom. Like others in its genus, it is capable of facultative air-breathing, which speaks to the varied and sometimes low-oxygen environments it inhabits in the wild. In the aquarium it is a peaceful, sociable fish that does best kept in a small group. Individuals kept alone tend to be shy and retiring, while a group of three or more brings out a much more confident, active character. Do be aware that adults will likely make a meal of very small tankmates, so pair it with fish of similar or larger size. Breeding has not been documented in captivity. Overall it is an underappreciated community catfish that rewards hobbyists willing to give it appropriate space and company.