Crystal-eyed catfish (Hemibagrus wyckii) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Crystal eye catfish, Freshwater shark, Baung jaksa, Bagrus wyckii, Mystus wyckii, Macrones wyckii
Family
Bagridae (bagrid catfishes)
Origin
South-east Asia from Thailand to Indonesia, including Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Borneo, in large rivers.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
70 cm
Temperature
22–25°C
pH
6.4–7.6
Hardness
Not critical; soft to moderately hard
Minimum tank
2500 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
aggressive

Care

A dramatic but very demanding catfish: it has a jet-black body, a white-edged tail and the bright blue eyes that give it its name. PlanetCatfish gives a maximum of about 70 cm standard length, and it grows quickly. Keep it alone. The 2,500-litre minimum here is our estimate for a single adult; a public-aquarium-sized tank or large indoor pond is what it eventually needs. Water chemistry is not critical for this hardy fish – PlanetCatfish gives 22–25 °C and pH 6.4–7.6 – but water quality is. Use large external or sump filtration and frequent big water changes. Put heaters outside the tank or behind strong guards, as it will smash them, and fix large rocks and wood firmly so they cannot be dug out or knocked over. It is told from the related Hemibagrus wyckioides (the Asian red-tailed catfish) by its blue eyes, dark body and lack of a red tail, and by its long, low, sloping forehead. Sexing is unknown; females may be smaller and fuller. Handle with great care: it is strong, has sharp fin spines and can bite. PlanetCatfish lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Most fish in the trade are wild-caught juveniles sold at a few centimetres long, so check that buyers understand the adult size. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: PlanetCatfish (planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?speciesid=94). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A powerful predator. Offer meaty foods: large sinking pellets, prawns, mussels and other shellfish, white fish fillet and earthworms; small fish also take flake and tablets. PlanetCatfish advises against feeding live fish so it does not become a fussy feeder. Feed adults a few times a week rather than daily.

Breeding

Not reported in aquaria. PlanetCatfish suggests it probably lays very large numbers of eggs, as many big bagrids do, but there is no practical home breeding method.

Compatibility and tank mates

Effectively none. It is a solitary, aggressive predator that will kill or eat almost anything it can catch and attack fish that it cannot. PlanetCatfish sums it up: try it and you will end up with one Hemibagrus sooner or later. Keep it on its own.

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

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