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Ghost fish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis) — Siluridae

Ghost fish

Kryptopterus bicirrhis
Family: Siluridae
LC · Least Concern

The Ghost fish (Kryptopterus bicirrhis) is a freshwater fish of the family Siluridae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The glass catfish is a remarkably translucent catfish from Southeast Asia, in rivers and streams of Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an almost fully transparent, elongate body through which the backbone and organs are visible; only the silvery abdominal sac and the head are opaque. It bears long barbels and lacks a visible dorsal fin. It forms schools in flowing water and hunts small zooplankton and insects by day. It is a popular aquarium fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ghost fish?

The Ghost fish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ghost fish live?

The Ghost fish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Ghost fish get?

The Ghost fish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Ghost fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ghost fish is harmless to humans.

Is the Ghost fish edible?

The Ghost fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Glasmeerval verified
English name
Ghost fish verified
Scientific name
Kryptopterus bicirrhis
Family
Siluridae
Other names
Glass catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Kryptopterus

More from the family Siluridae

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