Get a Huge Tank

All fish

African Glass Catfish

Parailia pellucida

Freshwater West and central Africa

A ghostly, nearly translucent schooling catfish whose internal organs and spine are visible through its glass-like body. Unlike Asian glass catfish, they swim tirelessly in the water column. They are sensitive to poor water quality, demanding pristine conditions, gentle water movement, and sheltered, shaded surroundings.

Also called: Glass schilbid, Glass catfish, x.

9 cm adult length, drawn to scale. eel body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 6 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 9 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 150 L, at least 90 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 10 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 2 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 23 to 28 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6 to 7.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 4 to 14, KH 2 to 8 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Medium Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Dim Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size At least 6, ideally 10 Kept alone or in small numbers it hides, fades or turns on tankmates.
Temperament Peaceful Not territorial.
Swims in Middle water Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 6 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Some experience helps A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.
Jumps Yes Keep the tank covered.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

African Glass Catfish is an carnivore that swims in the middle of the tank. It is safe with plants. Give it plenty of cover. It will eat fish small enough to swallow.

Tankmates

Works with

No close matches in the data. Check the pair tool.

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.