Tengara Catfish (Mystus tengara) Care Guide
Mystus tengara is a small South Asian bagrid catfish from the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages, nocturnal and kept in groups.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Mystus tengara is a small bagrid catfish native to the northeastern Indian subcontinent. According to FishBase it occurs across Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, with records concentrated in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river drainages. It is a demersal, nocturnal species that adults find in both flowing rivers and still ponds of the plains and submontane regions.
Taxonomy
- Family: Bagridae (bagrid catfishes)
- Genus: Mystus
- Scientific name: Mystus tengara
Habitat
FishBase reports that adults inhabit rivers and ponds in plains and submontane regions, occupying both flowing and standing freshwater. The species is recorded as a facultative air-breather, an adaptation common among catfishes living in waters that can become oxygen-poor. The body is described as light brown above with longitudinal brown stripes along each side.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 150 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. FishBase places it at trophic level 3.2, indicating a diet weighted toward animal prey. In the aquarium it accepts sinking prepared foods alongside frozen and live items such as bloodworms; feeding once daily, after lights-out, suits its nocturnal activity.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward larger tankmates but a bottom-dwelling predator at the scale of very small fish. It is best kept in a group of five or more with companions such as barbs and loaches, and away from fish or shrimp small enough to be eaten. Provide caves, driftwood and a soft sand substrate so the fish can shelter during the day.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009). FishBase notes low fishing vulnerability and use in subsistence fisheries.
Breeding Mystus tengara
Overview
Mystus tengara is a bagrid catfish of the family Bagridae, reaching about 18 cm total length. FishBase records it from Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh, with reported occurrences in Afghanistan. Adults inhabit rivers and ponds in plains and submontane regions, in both flowing and standing waters, and the species is capable of facultative air-breathing.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
FishBase describes the species as oviparous, with distinct pairing possibly like other members of the family. Specific spawning behaviour, season, fecundity and egg characteristics are not documented for this species, so no trigger protocol can be given with confidence.
Common Challenges
With no published aquarium spawning records and only a general oviparous classification available, reproduction of this species cannot be planned around a verified method.