Three-striped African catfish (Pareutropius buffei) care guide

Group
Freshwater fish
Other names
Three-striped African glass catfish, Three-striped glass catfish, Pareutropius debauwi (mislabel)
Family
Schilbeidae (schilbid catfishes)
Origin
West Africa: the lower Ouémé in Benin, the Ogun, Niger and Cross rivers in Nigeria, and Cameroon.
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
8.1 cm
Temperature
23–26°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Hardness
Slightly soft preferred
Minimum tank
100 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful

Care

Unlike most catfish this is an active, open-water shoaling fish, more like a tetra in how it behaves. Keep at least six together; in a smaller group they are shy and nervous. Give it plenty of open swimming space along the front, with planting at the back and sides and fairly subdued lighting. Floating plants help it settle. The figures we read give 23–26 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and slightly soft water. The 100-litre minimum here is an estimate for a shoal of this active fish. It is identified by three dark stripes along the body, with the lowest stripe broken around the pelvic fins. It is often sold as Pareutropius debauwi, which has only one stripe and clear tail lobes. Females are heavier-bodied, but the difference is slight and only shows in mature fish. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern (assessed 2019). Sources: Aquatic Republic (aquaticrepublic.com/pareutropiusbuffei), which shares PlanetCatfish's Cat-eLog data; we could not reach the PlanetCatfish species page itself at the time of checking. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Takes all prepared foods and most frozen foods. Flake, bloodworm and brine shrimp are ideal. Feed small amounts a few times a day, as it is an active fish that feeds in mid-water.

Breeding

An egg-scatterer that has been bred in aquariums. Remove the parents after spawning, as they will eat the eggs. The eggs hatch in about three days at around 24–25 °C, and the fry can be raised on newly hatched brine shrimp.

Compatibility and tank mates

A good community fish. It mixes well with other active fish of similar size such as tetras, barbs, rasboras, danios and loaches. Very slow or long-finned fish may be stressed by its constant activity.

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

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