Not furry, but we like them anyway.

African Glass Catfish

Pareutropius debauwi (Boulenger, 1900)

SpeciesShort profile

From Central Africa: the Congo River basin and coastal rivers of Gabon and the Republic of the Congo such as the Ogooue, Nyanga, Rembo Ngove; also recorded in Angola.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Length12.6 to 15 cm1 2

Lifespan8 years2

Sizesmall

Active by day, unusual for a catfish

Lively schooling display

Peaceful toward tankmates

2 1

Looks how to spot one

Slender, compressed, scaleless body

A silvery, flattened little catfish with a short dorsal fin, one pair of chin barbels and a dark band running along the middle of each side. Unlike the Asian glass catfish, it is not truly see-through.2

Colourssilverdark mid-lateral banddark line along the anal fin base2

Personality what they are like

A peaceful, sociable fish that is busy during the day and moves as a tight school.2 1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very active midwater swimmer that appreciates open swimming room and some current.2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Give a roomy tank with open space, moderate flow and slightly subdued light; breeding at home is not recommended.2

Home where they are happiest

Tropical water of 23 to 26 C with pH 6.5 to 7.5 and a moderate current.2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mainly eats insects in nature; in the aquarium accepts flakes, granules, frozen foods, Daphnia, mosquito larvae and brine shrimp.2 1

Company who they like around

Keep a large group, ideally ten or more, so it feels secure and shows natural schooling.2 1

The story where it all began

Boulenger described the species in 1900. It is widespread in central African rivers, where its breeding is tied to the flood season, and it has long been traded as a lively schooling catfish.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Its genus name refers to a well-keeled, compressed body shape.2
2
Unlike most catfish it is strongly active during daylight.2
3
Spawning lines up with flood periods, and the parents leave the eggs unguarded.2
4
It is a true schooling fish that forms groups in the wild.1

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 16 February 2009)1
Taxonomy: Described by Boulenger in 19001
Family: Schilbeidae (schilbid catfishes)1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a African Glass Catfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
Temperature checkevery day
Water changeAbout 25% of the waterevery week
Water testevery week
Glass cleanevery week
Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month

Start a free diary

Glass Catfish

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

FishBase: Pareutropius debauwi fishbase.seused for distribution, size, IUCN, family, schooling, diet
Wikipedia: Pareutropius debauwi en.wikipedia.orgused for appearance, lifespan, water parameters, diet, care, etymology

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.