African Glass Catfish

About

The African glass catfish (Pareutropius debauwi) is one of the more interesting catfish to come out of central Africa, hailing from river systems in Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and Angola, including stretches of the Ogooué and Congo River basin. Its semi-transparent body sets it apart from most other catfish you'll encounter in the hobby. You can make out the spine and internal organs with a decent light, which always draws a second look from visitors to your tank. Unlike the more commonly kept Asian glass catfish, this one is genuinely active and spends its time in the mid-water column rather than hanging motionless. In the wild it moves in schools across a range of river types, from large main channels to smaller tributaries, and that social nature carries straight into the aquarium. Keep a group of at least six, ideally more, because individuals kept in smaller numbers tend to become timid and spend most of their time hiding. They're insectivore-leaning omnivores, so small live or frozen foods like daphnia, bloodworms, and mosquito larvae will keep them in top condition alongside a quality dry food. A peaceful tankmate for similarly sized, active fish, though their energy level and schooling requirement make them a bit more demanding than true beginner species.