亨氏粒鲶 · Hendrickson's Stream Catfish

Overview

Akysis hendricksoni is a small stream catfish that often buries itself in sand, sometimes leaving only its eyes visible. Soft substrate, clean oxygen-rich water, and uncompetitive companions matter more than elaborate decoration. Yellow markings can differ between localities.

Distribution & habitat

It ranges through much of Peninsular Malaysia into the southernmost part of Thailand, with records from the Terengganu, Endau, Sabak Bernam, and Golok drainages. The original collection site was a clear stagnant backwater, an atypical setting rather than a complete habitat description.

An Endau record came from a sandy, moderately flowing stream with slightly tannin-stained neutral water and aquatic vegetation. The genus more generally occupies flowing channels over sand, gravel, and rock, but the species should not be reduced to an exclusively plant-free rapid-water habitat.

Aquarium setup

Provide a footprint around 45 × 30 cm and fine, soft sand for burying. Rounded rocks, roots, and branches add crevices. Attached plants avoid the root disturbance caused by burrowing, and some leaf litter can be included.

Organic pollution is poorly tolerated. Maintain good current and abundant dissolved oxygen, with weekly partial water changes of approximately 30–50%.

Diet & feeding

Members of the genus take small aquatic crustaceans, worms, and insect larvae. Dry foods may initially be refused. Suitable live and frozen offerings include brine shrimp, water fleas, and bloodworms; cut larger items for small specimens.

Feeding after dark follows the general pattern of the group, although settled fish may emerge when food is added. Confirm consumption rather than assuming disappearance of food elsewhere means it has eaten.

Behaviour & compatibility

It competes poorly with much larger or aggressive fishes. Choose similarly sized, peaceful companions and carefully selected small bottom dwellers. Loaches require particular attention to adult size and territorial behavior. Peaceful coexistence with freshwater shrimp has been observed.

Conspecific aggression is absent, allowing either solitary or social maintenance under appropriate conditions.

Breeding

Reproduction of this species is unreported. Cooling-associated spawning in another member of the genus does not establish a temperature change, incubation schedule, or nursery method for this fish.

Notes

Southern Thai specimens can have a larger V-shaped yellow mark extending from the predorsal region onto the flanks. Other populations differ in the extent of pale markings, and very small fish may show little pale pattern.

Akysid dorsal and pectoral spines are associated with venom structures and can deliver painful punctures. Avoid gripping the spines when moving fish or working around their shelters.