Catfish – Asian Stone Catfish or Moth Catfish

Description

Asian Stone Catfish
Hara jerdoni
Aka: Moth Catfish, Dwarf Anchor Catfish, Miniature Catfish

pH: 5.6-7.8
Temperature: 18-24°C (64-76°F)
Hardness: 8-15 NK°
Lifespan: About 5 years
Stocking info: Community fish, stock about 5 Stone Catfish per 10 gallons, no problem.

The Hara jerdoni, aka the Sylhet Hara, Asian Stone Catfish, or Dwarf Anchor Catfish, is a small species of South Asian river catfish native to northeastern India and Bangladesh. This species grows to a length of 4 cm which is about 1.57″ Max. This catfish is sometimes seen in the aquarium trade but not always. Will do best if stocked in groups as these fish prefer to live in colonys and graze the aquarium floor for debris and algae.

Family: Erethistidae
Syn: Erethistes jerdoni
Habitat: Asia; India, Bangladesh
Size: 4cm max
Biotope: Inhabits in current-rich rivers and slow-flowing creeks and streams.
Social behavior: Peaceful and shy catfish, can be kept with other small and peaceful species in a community tank.
Diet: Omnivorous; a noctunal feeder so feed after lights out. Will eat a variety of live and frozen foods, also accept freeze-dried foods.
Breeding: Very hard

Use fine sand as substrate, and add some Almond leaves. Create habitat within your ecosystem by decorating your tank w roots and build rock caves to provide hiding places. Use some grasses like Vallisneria, micro Swords and Java fern plants. The water must be kept clean, relatively cool and well-oxygenated.

Description: It is more commonly called an anchor cat, due to its ‘anchor’ like shape when viewed from above. It is a small, nocturnal catfish. In nature it sleeps under or within roots, bamboo and rock structures during the day. The color of the body varies from a mottled grey color to light brown and it has a few darker blotchy areas, especially around the head. Asian stone catfish has extremely long pectoral spines and they use their strong pectoral fin spines to lodge themselves into any nooks that they can find in the river. The fish can turn shades of brown and tan to blend in with surroundings. Good water quality and high level of dissolved oxygen is essential to keep these catfish, as they don’t tolerate well nitrate levels above 12.5 mg/l. The first indication that there is something wrong with the water is that they appear to shed their skin.

Female Stone Cats are a little longer and significantly fuller than the very slender males. This fish has been bred in the aquarium, however only a very few details are available. For breeding, try to place 10-15 adult fish in a smaller aquarium and decorate it with Java moss. Condition the fish with freeze dried bloodworms and probiotic formula pellet foods, live foods for a couple of days, and after 4 days do a 30% water cahnge. If you are lucky the fish will deposit the small eggs in the Java moss. The fry are very tiny and only eat small live foods or liquid fish food. The fry are very delicate and require plenty of time and attention.

Please order no less than 2,

shipped right about .75″