普氏粒鲶 · Indawgyi Stream Catfish

Overview

Among its genus, Akysis prashadi is comparatively large, yet remains a small sand-burying catfish. Fine substrate, clean oxygenated water, and freedom from intense feeding competition are the main priorities. A hidden fish still requires confirmed feeding and regular maintenance.

Distribution & habitat

Records originate from Lake Indawgyi and waters near Kamaing in northern Myanmar's Kachin State, within the upper Ayeyarwady drainage. It also occurs in India's Lokchao River in Manipur, connected to the Ayeyarwady through the Chindwin system.

The genus generally occupies flowing streams and rivers over sand, gravel, and rock, with occasional litter, branches, or bank roots. A lake-associated locality name alone should not lead to treating this fish as a stagnant-water specialist.

Aquarium setup

Use a base around 45 × 30 cm and soft sand deep enough for burying, sometimes with only the eyes exposed. Rounded rocks and wood provide narrow shelters. Attached plants are less vulnerable to substrate disturbance than rooted planting; some leaf litter can be added.

Organic waste accumulation is poorly tolerated. Maintain good water movement and high dissolved oxygen, with weekly partial changes of approximately 30–50%.

Diet & feeding

Members of the genus eat small aquatic crustaceans, worms, and insect larvae. Dry food is not always accepted. Offer suitable live and frozen brine shrimp, water fleas, bloodworms, and similar items, cutting larger food for small individuals.

Feeding after dark follows the general pattern of relatives, although acclimated fish may emerge at feeding time. Its limited competitive ability makes checking intake necessary.

Behaviour & compatibility

Avoid substantially larger, aggressive, or forceful feeding competitors. Similar-sized peaceful fish are preferable. Other bottom dwellers, especially loaches, require checks for size and territorial behavior. Peaceful coexistence with freshwater shrimp has been observed.

It is nonaggressive toward conspecifics and may be kept singly or socially, with adequate retreats for a group.

Sexual dimorphism

The male has a short conical papilla immediately behind the anus. In females it is flattened, with radiating grooves around the opening. These species-specific features are more useful than assuming that pelvic-fin differences in other members of the genus apply.

Breeding

Confirmed reproduction is unreported for this species. Cooling-associated spawning and incubation observations in another member of the genus do not establish a successful method here, or justify a fixed abrupt temperature reduction.

Notes

An unserrated rear edge to the pectoral spine and a deeply notched tail with a slightly longer lower lobe assist identification. Lack of serrations does not remove puncture risk: akysid dorsal and pectoral spines are associated with venom structures and should not be gripped during handling.