Long whiskers catfish (Mystus gulio) — 4-5cm

Overview

Long Whiskers Catfish (Mystus gulio) is a hardy, whiskered bottom-dweller from South and Southeast Asia that thrives on meaty foods and needs a secure, species-appropriate brackish or freshwater setup. Native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Vietnam, this species is prized for its distinctive long barbels, hardy nature, and manageable size. Now available for sale UK from Tropical Fish Co, this unusual catfish is ideal for the brackish or large freshwater community aquarium keeper.

Appearance

The Long Whiskers Catfish typically reaches around 30 cm in total length, making it a medium to large catfish. The body is elongated and robust, with a pale silver or grey base color. The most distinctive feature is the extremely long barbels (whiskers), which can be as long as or longer than the body itself and are used for foraging. The fins are well-developed. Healthy specimens have bright, clear eyes and smooth, undamaged barbels.

Natural Habitat

In the wild, Mystus gulio is native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and Vietnam, where it is typically found in brackish estuaries and also enters freshwater. These waters are typically warm, moderately hard, and vary from brackish to fresh depending on location and tides. The substrate is composed of mud or sand, and the fish spend much of their time foraging for invertebrates, small fish, and organic matter.

Aquarium Setup

A spacious aquarium of at least 200 litres is recommended for a Long Whiskers Catfish, as they can grow quite large. Use a soft sand substrate to protect their long barbels, and incorporate smooth rocks, driftwood, caves, and robust structures to provide hiding places. Ensure strong filtration and moderate water movement to maintain high oxygen levels and excellent water quality. A secure lid is essential, as catfish can jump and are strong escape artists. This species is often collected from brackish habitats, so some keepers maintain them in brackish water, though they can adapt to freshwater.

Feeding

The Long Whiskers Catfish is a carnivore and thrives on a varied meaty diet. Offer quality sinking carnivore pellets as a staple, supplemented with frozen or live bloodworms, shrimp, insect larvae, chopped mussel, and other small protein-rich foods. May also accept some prepared foods. Feed once or twice daily in amounts appropriate for the fish's size.

Behaviour

This catfish is semi-aggressive and can become predatory toward smaller tankmates. They are nocturnal and spend much of the day hiding, becoming active at night to forage. Their long barbels are used to locate food in murky or dark conditions. Due to their large adult size and predatory nature, choose tankmates carefully and provide a spacious aquarium.

Tank Mates

The Long Whiskers Catfish is suitable for a large community aquarium with other robust fish. Good tankmates include robust peaceful fish of similar size in freshwater or brackish conditions as appropriate, and other medium-sized non-aggressive fish that tolerate the same water parameters. Avoid very small fish, shrimp and other small invertebrates, slow-moving long-finned fish, highly aggressive territorial fish, and tiny fry or juvenile fish.

Breeding

Breeding the Long Whiskers Catfish is not commonly reported in home aquaria. Like many bagrid catfish, it likely requires excellent water quality, seasonal conditioning, and possibly brackish to freshwater transitions to trigger spawning.

Why Buy from Tropical Fish Co

Tropical Fish Co is a leading UK aquatics specialist offering unusual and fascinating catfish like the Long Whiskers Catfish direct to your door. Every fish is quarantined, inspected, and dispatched with expert care to ensure it arrives in peak condition. With decades of experience, transparent pricing, and exceptional customer support, we make it easy to add unique, specialist species to your collection. Order online today and enjoy fast, reliable delivery across the UK.