All FishesSiluridaeKryptopterus  |  | 

Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Kryptopterus cryptopterus  (Bleeker, 1851)
Common Name Blue Sheatfish
Type Locality Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia.
Synonym(s) Silurus cryptopterus
Pronunciation Cry top ter russ. - kreep top ter russ
Etymology Kryptopterus: From the Greek kryptos, meaning hidden and pteryx, meaning fin; in reference to the reduced or absent dorsal fin of this group of fishes. From the Greek cryptos, meaning hidden and pterygion, meaning fin. In reference to the rudimentary dorsal fin.
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 200mm or 7.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Rudimentary dorsal fin; the maxillary barbels reaching to the base of the pectoral fin; 64-78 anal rays. Nearly straight dorsal profile with no nuchal concavity; pectoral-fin length greater than head length.
Sexing Males are more slender and have strong serrations on the posterior edge of the pectoral spine (females lack these serrations).
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins; also from the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.
Mekong (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Thailand Waters, Chao Praya (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Pacific, Malaysia Waters, Peninsular Malaysia Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Sumatra Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Pacific, Greater Sunda Island Rivers, Borneo Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2019.
pH 6.0 - 7.0
Temperature 22.0-27.0°C or 71.6-80.6°F (Show species within this range)
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Readily feeds on live/frozen foods and other prepared foods such as pellets. User data.
Furniture This fish is fairly active and needs open spaces to swim in. Provide plenty of vegetation for it to hide in during the day.
Compatibility A schooling species that should be kept in groups of three or more. A relatively peaceful fish compatible with most other species. Ideal tankmates include larger barbs and rasboras, and other mid-sized bottom-dwelling Asian catfishes (e.g. Mystus).
Breeding In the Mekong, this species spawns during the early part of the rainy season (June-July). The young move toward the seasonally flooded habitats and are first seen in August.

Not reported in aquaria.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch Indië v. 1 (no. 3), pp 270.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 3 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Kryptopterus cryptopterus QR code LFS label creator
Last Update 2020 Sep 19 05:11 (species record created: 2003 Mar 29 00:00)