Crystal-Eyed Catfish Care Guide
Hemibagrus wyckii is a large, highly aggressive Asian bagrid catfish from Southeast Asian rivers, suited only to very large or public aquaria.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Hemibagrus wyckii is a large predatory catfish of the family Bagridae. FishBase lists a maximum length around 90 cm total length, while Seriously Fish cites a largest known specimen of about 71 cm. The fish has a very broad, flattened head and pale markings on the pectoral and dorsal fin tips. It is sold fresh in regional markets and is rated harmless to humans, but in captivity it is exceptionally aggressive.
Taxonomy
- Family: Bagridae
- Order: Siluriformes
- Genus: Hemibagrus
- Scientific name: Hemibagrus wyckii
Habitat
The species ranges across central Indochina and western Indonesia, including the Mekong, Chao Phraya, Pahang, Batang Hari, Musi, Citarum, Baram, Rejang, Kapuas and Barito river systems. It is a freshwater, demersal, potamodromous fish that lives in large rivers with fast-flowing water over muddy substrate, mostly in the middle reaches.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1000 L (public or very large home aquaria only)
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Lifespan: can reach several decades
- Note: keep singly; near-incompatible with tankmates
Diet
Hemibagrus wyckii is a predator that feeds on insects, prawns and fishes in the wild. In captivity it accepts bloodworm, earthworms, prawns, mussels and strips of white fish. Mammalian meats such as beef and chicken should not be fed. Adults need only one or two meals per week, while juveniles require more frequent high-protein feeding.
Compatibility
The species is highly aggressive and territorial. Seriously Fish describes it as incompatible with other fishes in all but the largest public installations, where it may still attack tankmates. It is also notably unafraid of the keeper during maintenance. It should be regarded as a single-specimen fish for dedicated, very large systems.
Breeding
Captive breeding is not recorded in the aquarium literature.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2019).
Hemibagrus wyckii (Crystal-Eyed Catfish) Breeding Guide
Overview
Hemibagrus wyckii, the crystal-eyed catfish, is a large Asian bagrid of the family Bagridae. According to Wikipedia it occurs in Asia from Thailand to Indonesia, in river systems including the Mekong and Chao Phraya and across Sumatra, Malaysia, Java and Borneo, and reaches about 71 cm SL. It is a predator that feeds on insects, prawns and fishes and is restricted to the middle reaches of the large rivers it inhabits.
Temperament
This species is one of the most aggressive aquarium catfishes. Wikipedia notes it will bite and can damage objects in the aquarium, can attack animals of its own size, and has even been claimed to be the only freshwater fish unafraid of man. The standing advice is to keep it singly. Pairing two adults, as breeding would require, is therefore extremely hazardous.
Why home breeding is not feasible
There is no published account of spawning behaviour, eggs or fry for H. wyckii. Combined with a maximum length around 71 cm, a strictly solitary disposition and intense intraspecific aggression, the absence of any spawning protocol means this fish is kept as a single specimen, not as a breeding project. Introducing a second individual to attempt pairing risks fatal aggression.