Stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Stinging catfish, Fossil catfish, Liver catfish, Scorpion catfish, Airsac catfish
Family
Heteropneustidae (airsac catfishes)
Origin
South Asia: Pakistan and Sri Lanka to Myanmar, including India and Thailand. Introduced elsewhere.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
21–25°C
pH
6–8
Hardness
Soft to very hard, up to 30 dGH
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive

Care

Safety first: this is a venomous fish. The pectoral spines carry a venom that causes a very painful, swelling wound, and PlanetCatfish reports fatal encounters with people in the wild, especially when parents are guarding eggs. Never handle it with bare hands; move it with a container rather than a net, and take care when working in the tank. PlanetCatfish says hot water (as hot as can be safely tolerated) helps break down the venom and should be applied at once if stung; get medical help for any sting. Do not keep it where children can reach into the tank. It is an active, night-roaming catfish that grows to about 30 cm SL (FishBase records 41 cm in total length). PlanetCatfish suggests a medium-to-large tank with plenty of swimming space and shady retreats; as our estimate, at least 150 × 50 cm (around 300 litres) for an adult. It has air sacs and breathes air at the surface, so leave access to the surface and use a tight lid. It is a voracious eater, so good filtration is essential. It is very tolerant: PlanetCatfish gives 21–25 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and hardness up to 30 dGH, and FishBase notes that it can tolerate slightly brackish water. Keep it in fresh water and keep up regular water changes. Identification: a long, eel-like, dark brown to reddish-brown catfish with four pairs of long barbels and a long anal fin. Females are stockier than males, so males show a thinner belly line. PlanetCatfish adds that it enjoys the company of its own kind. It is fished for food across its range and traded for aquariums. FishBase lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed 2019). 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/cotm/cotm.php?articleid=108, Catfish of the Month, October 2001); FishBase (fishbase.se/summary/Heteropneustes-fossilis.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A greedy omnivore that accepts all prepared foods. Larger adults need bigger items such as earthworms and frozen prawns, and can be trained to take large cichlid pellets from the surface. It will eat any fish small enough to swallow.

Breeding

In the wild it breeds in confined waters during the monsoon. PlanetCatfish describes sticky yellow-green eggs laid in pits dug in the substrate, with both parents guarding and fanning the eggs and caring for the fry for some time afterwards. Guarding parents are defensive, so take extra care around a breeding pair.

Compatibility and tank mates

Only keep it with fish too large to be eaten. PlanetCatfish advises active, robust swimmers such as large barbs and other similar-sized Asian species; slower fish may be harassed by its restless night-time activity. Not a community fish, and not for tanks with small fish or for keepers who are not prepared for the venomous spines.

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

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