Indawgyi stream catfish (Akysis prashadi) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Prashad's catfish, Indawgyi stream catfish
Family
Akysidae (Asian stream catfishes)
Origin
Upper Myanmar: Indawgyi Lake and the surrounding area near Kamaing, Myitkyina District; swift sandy and gravelly streams.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
6 cm
Temperature
16–22°C
pH
6.4–7.2
Hardness
Soft to medium, 2–12 dGH
Minimum tank
41 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful

Care

This is one of the larger Akysis, a small, cryptic stream catfish with rough, tubercle-covered skin and a pattern of yellowish patches or bands on brown. It is peaceful and can be kept singly or in a small group. Seriously Fish suggests a tank with a base of at least 45 × 30 cm (around 41 litres) for a group. It comes from fast, clean streams, so it needs spotless, well-oxygenated water with good flow. PlanetCatfish recommends rocks or driftwood to break up the current and give sheltered spots, plus plenty of hiding places and some plants or leaf litter. Use sand or fine gravel: it often buries itself with only the eyes showing. It is a cool-water fish. PlanetCatfish gives 16–22 °C and pH 6.4–7.2; Seriously Fish gives a slightly wider 16.5–24 °C and soft to medium water (2–12 dGH). Avoid keeping it warm for long periods. It differs from most relatives in having no serrations on the rear edge of the pectoral spine. Males have a short, conical genital papilla just behind the vent; in females it is flatter with radial grooves (Seriously Fish). It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN (2009, per PlanetCatfish). It is one of the few Akysis seen regularly in the trade. Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=960); Seriously Fish (seriouslyfish.com/species/akysis-prashadi/). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A nocturnal micropredator of small crustaceans, worms and insect larvae. PlanetCatfish says it takes most foods but prefers live or frozen ones; Seriously Fish notes it can be fussy and may refuse dried food. Offer Artemia, Daphnia and bloodworm, ideally after lights out.

Breeding

Not reported in aquariums. Seriously Fish notes that related Akysis have been triggered to spawn by a marked drop in temperature, which may be worth trying with well-conditioned fish. Sexing is by the genital papilla: short and conical in males, flatter and grooved in females.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful but small and secretive. PlanetCatfish suggests hillstream loaches such as Homaloptera, fast-swimming cyprinids such as Danio or Barilius, and smaller spiny eels; Seriously Fish adds small schooling cyprinids, similar-sized characins, other small akysid or sisorid catfish and shrimp. Avoid large or aggressive fish that will outcompete or eat it.

Last updated 5 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers can only take PayPal or cash on collection. Business sellers can take PayPal or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have 50 sales, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: [email protected].