Three-Lined Hill Catfish (Glyptothorax trilineatus) Care Guide
Glyptothorax trilineatus is a hillstream sisorid catfish of fast Asian rivers, needing strong current and cool, oxygen-rich water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Glyptothorax trilineatus is a hillstream catfish of the family Sisoridae. FishBase records it from India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Laos and reports from China, including basin-wide tributaries of the lower Mekong. It is adapted to rapid, oxygen-rich mountain streams and uses a modified ventral surface to cling to rocks against the current.
Taxonomy
- Family: Sisoridae (sisorid catfishes)
- Genus: Glyptothorax
- Scientific name: Glyptothorax trilineatus
Habitat
FishBase describes the species inhabiting pool and riffle areas of rapid-running mountain streams at higher altitudes. A distinctive white mid-dorsal stripe runs from the occiput to the base of the caudal fin, with a narrow whitish line along each side. These cool, fast waters carry high dissolved oxygen, which the aquarium should reproduce with strong flow and good aeration.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 18-24 °C (64-75 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Water flow: strong
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is insectivorous, grazing aufwuchs and small invertebrates from rocks in the wild (FishBase trophic level 3.3). In the aquarium it accepts sinking foods, frozen bloodworms and other small invertebrate fare; a biofilm-covered hardscape supports natural grazing.
Compatibility
Peaceful and bottom-dwelling, it suits a fast-flowing, cool biotope with other current-loving species. Avoid housing it with small fish or shrimp it could eat and with warm-water community fish that cannot tolerate the lower temperatures it requires.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2007). FishBase notes low fishing vulnerability and low resilience.
Breeding Glyptothorax trilineatus
Overview
Glyptothorax trilineatus is a hillstream catfish of the family Sisoridae, reaching about 30 cm total length. FishBase records it from India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Laos, with reports from China, and notes it occurs in basin-wide tributaries of the lower Mekong. It inhabits pool and riffle areas of fast, rapid-running mountain streams. FishBase lists a temperature range of 10-20 degrees Celsius, pH 6.0-7.2 and hardness up to 10 dH, reflecting cool, oxygen-rich hill-stream conditions.
Common Challenges
Two factors stand out. First, no maturity, spawning, fecundity or egg data exist in the consulted source, so there is no reproductive baseline to work from. Second, the species requires cool, strongly oxygenated, fast-flowing water, which is difficult to reproduce and sustain in a home aquarium.