小眼鳠

Overview

Hemibagrus microphthalmus is an exceptionally large catfish with a potential lifespan measured in decades. It is unsuitable for an ordinary home aquarium. Being able to fit a juvenile into a tank does not establish the ability to house it throughout life.

Distribution & habitat

It occurs in the Salween, Irrawaddy, and Sittaung systems of Myanmar and western Thailand, with additional records from the Manipur River drainage of northeastern India.

Aquarium setup

Accommodation belongs on the scale of public displays or exceptionally large private facilities. Both eventual body size and a commitment lasting several decades must be considered before acquisition.

Diet & feeding

Crustaceans and smaller fishes are probably its prey. This presumed natural diet does not mean live prey must be used in captivity.

Behaviour & compatibility

Strong territorial aggression is expected, and compatibility with other fishes is unlikely outside the largest public installations. This remains a qualified risk assessment; assembling several large fishes does not itself make a safe community.

Notes

Gray fins in living fish distinguish it from some red-finned relatives. Its dorsal spine is weakly ossified, and it lacks the pale principal rays on the upper and lower tail lobes found in certain similar species. Housing or breeding methods used for other members of the genus should not automatically be regarded as established for this fish.