A fascinating, semi-transparent schooling catfish from Southeast Asia. Unlike the more common Ghost Catfish, this species has distinct stripes or mottling along its body. They are incredibly peaceful but timid, requiring heavily planted blackwater setups with dim lighting and a large shoal to feel secure.
False Glass Catfish At a Glance
False Glass Catfish Tank Requirements
Will False Glass Catfish fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what False Glass Catfish needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test False Glass Catfish against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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False Glass Catfish Water Parameters
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False Glass Catfish Temperament & Compatibility
False Glass Catfish Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard
The standard form found in the aquarium trade. Must be kept in a group of at least 5 to prevent extreme stress and wasting away.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Wild Type, Striped, Mottled
False Glass Catfish Care Guide Summary
The False Glass Catfish, scientifically known as Kryptopterus macrocephalus, belongs to the Catfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 10 cm and have a compressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the mid-level zone of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the False Glass Catfish requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 110 litres and a tank length of at least 90 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 22°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 5–7 and a general hardness of 1–8 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Due to its specialist needs, the False Glass Catfish is best suited for fishkeepers who can provide a carefully planned setup. The False Glass Catfish is typically available in one standard form.
False Glass Catfish Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the False Glass Catfish, a low water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the mid-level zone, the aquarium layout should prioritise open swimming space in the centre of the tank for free movement. Useful additions include leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat, dense planting to provide cover, break sightlines, and reduce stress, and floating plants to diffuse overhead light and create shaded areas.
False Glass Catfish Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the False Glass Catfish is a social species that requires the company of its own kind to thrive. When choosing tankmates, ornamental shrimp are not safe companions and boisterous or fast-moving tankmates may cause this species undue stress. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the mid-level zone can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
False Glass Catfish Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for False Glass Catfish.
30 Gallon Breeder
40 Gallon Breeder
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
Show 10 more tank sizes
False Glass Catfish Feeding & Diet Considerations
The False Glass Catfish will hunt and eat ornamental shrimp, making it unsuitable for shrimp-focused setups and will eat fry, so breeding efforts in the same tank are unlikely to succeed.
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Frequently Asked Questions About False Glass Catfish
How big does False Glass Catfish get?
False Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus macrocephalus) typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 10 cm. They have a compressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does False Glass Catfish need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 110 litres and a tank length of at least 90 cm are recommended for False Glass Catfish. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does False Glass Catfish need?
False Glass Catfish thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 22–28°C, a pH between 5 and 7, and a general hardness of 1–8 dGH. A low water flow is preferred.
Is False Glass Catfish peaceful or aggressive?
False Glass Catfish is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 2 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
Can False Glass Catfish live alone?
No, False Glass Catfish should be kept in groups of at least 5 to reduce stress and encourage natural behaviour.
Is False Glass Catfish safe with shrimp?
No. False Glass Catfish is known to eat ornamental shrimp and is not recommended for shrimp tanks. Even larger shrimp species like Amano Shrimp may be at risk.
Does False Glass Catfish have any special tank requirements?
Yes. False Glass Catfish benefits from plants - densely covered, plants - floating, and leaf litter/blackwater in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for False Glass Catfish
These fish are strong compatibility matches for False Glass Catfish based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Common Whiptail Catfish
Rineloricaria eigenmanni
Ideal Tank MatesCommon Synodontis (False Upside Down Catfish)
Synodontis nigrita
Ideal Tank MatesBumblebee Catfish (South American)
Microglanis iheringi
Ideal Tank MatesApistogramma Resticulosa Marmor
Apistogramma cf. resticulosa "Marmor"
Ideal Tank MatesApistogramma Marmor (Marbled Apisto)
Apistogramma erythrura
Ideal Tank MatesGolden Bristlenose Pleco
Ancistrus sp. L144
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit False Glass Catfish
These plants pair well with False Glass Catfish based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Amazon Frogbit
Limnobium laevigatum
Asian Watergrass
Hygroryza aristata
Asian Watermoss
Salvinia cucullata
Carolina Mosquito Fern
Azolla caroliniana
Common Duckweed
Lemna minor
Crystalwort
Riccia fluitans
Fish Similar to False Glass Catfish
Glass Catfish
Kryptopterus vitreolus
A highly unique, completely transparent catfish from Thailand. Unlike most catfish, they are mid-water swimmers that require being kept in schools to feel secure. They are incredibly peaceful and easily outcompeted for food. They require stable water parameters and dim lighting or shaded areas provided by floating plants.
Debauwi Catfish (Three-Striped Glass Catfish)
Pareutropius buffei
A highly active, diurnal schooling catfish native to West African rivers. Unlike most bottom-dwelling catfish, they continuously swim in the mid-to-upper water column. While often sold in the trade as 'P. debauwi', virtually all specimens are actually 'P. buffei' (distinguished by having three lateral stripes instead of one). They are peaceful, require highly oxygenated water with moderate flow, and absolutely must be kept in groups.
True Julii Corydoras
Corydoras julii
A highly sought-after, peaceful schooling catfish native to the lower Amazon. They feature distinctive fine black dots on their heads (unlike the reticulated, maze-like lines of the commonly mislabeled 'False Julii', C. trilineatus) and a black-tipped dorsal fin. As obligate bottom-dwellers, they continuously sift through the substrate and strictly require soft sand to prevent erosion and infection of their delicate sensory barbels. They are highly gregarious and must be kept in groups.
Black Fin Cory
Corydoras leucomelas
A peaceful schooling catfish native to the Amazon basin, easily identified by its black dorsal fin and a dark mask-like band across its eyes. Like all Corydoras, they are bottom-dwellers that use sensitive barbels to forage. They possess a modified intestine allowing them to gulp atmospheric air, so occasional darts to the surface are normal. They are highly social and require a soft sandy substrate to prevent barbel erosion.
Striped Raphael Catfish
Platydoras armatulus
A highly robust, armored catfish native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Famous for their ability to produce audible squeaking or grunting sounds when distressed or defending territory. They are nocturnal scavengers that spend most of the day hiding in driftwood or caves. Note: Their rigid pectoral spines can easily become tangled in standard aquarium nets.
Pictus Catfish
Pimelodus pictus
An extremely active, striking silver catfish with black spots and incredibly long barbels, native to South America. While peaceful toward similarly sized tank mates, they are highly effective nocturnal predators that will easily swallow small fish (like Neon Tetras) whole. They are scaleless and possess sharp pectoral spines that can easily become entangled in aquarium nets.