Anchor Catfish (Hara jerdoni)

Anchor Catfish (Hara jerdoni), also sold as Asian Stone Catfish or Dwarf Anchor Catfish, is a tiny camouflaged bottom dweller for calm, mature aquariums. It is not a showy open-water fish; its charm is the way it rests among leaves, wood and sand, then appears when small foods reach the bottom.

This listing suits keepers who want a subtle nano catfish rather than an algae cleaner. FishBase records Hara jerdoni from India and Bangladesh, with slow-moving sandy streams, rivers and beels listed as natural habitats. That points to a quiet, well-oxygenated aquarium with fine substrate, stable water and no rough competition at feeding time.

Quick facts

Best aquarium setup

Use a mature aquarium with fine sand, leaf-litter-style cover, rounded stones, wood and shaded gaps. The fish is small and low to the substrate, so avoid sharp gravel that can irritate the belly and barbels. Plants are welcome, especially if they create shade without trapping waste around the feeding area.

The aim is not to make a fast hillstream tank. Think of the slow, sandy margins and quiet pockets mentioned in species references: enough oxygen and filtration to keep the water clean, but not a current that pins food away from a tiny catfish. A sponge filter, guarded intake or softened outlet can work well in small mature aquariums.

Group size and behaviour

Anchor Catfish are peaceful but easily outcompeted. A small group is normally better than a single fish, provided each fish has cover and food reaches the bottom. Expect them to look inactive at first; they often become more visible when the tank is quiet and the feeding routine is predictable.

Feeding routine

Feed with the lights dimmed if faster tank mates are present. Maidenhead Aquatics notes that these catfish are shy nocturnal feeders, and that they do best when small meaty frozen foods form a meaningful part of the diet. In practice, tiny bloodworm pieces, cyclops, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and fine sinking granules all work well if they reach the fish.

Because the fish is so small, the best meals are small and deliberate. It is better to feed a few tiny portions that disappear quickly than to leave a large pellet breaking down under wood. If the belly stays flat after several nights, reduce competition or target-feed closer to the shaded resting area.

Tank mates

Choose small, calm fish that occupy the middle or upper water and do not harass the bottom. Good options include peaceful rasboras, small calm tetras, gentle Otocinclus and quiet loaches in a suitably sized aquarium. Avoid large predatory fish, nippy fish, boisterous cichlids and very pushy bottom feeders.

For similar peaceful bottom-level choices, compare Zebra Otocinclus, Golden Otocinclus, Pygmy Corydoras and Brown Kuhli Loach. If you want another tiny catfish style, see Dwarf Marbled Catfish.

Common mistakes to avoid

Before you order

Arrival and first week

Keep the lights low after delivery, float and acclimate carefully, then release into a shaded area. Do not panic if the fish vanish into cover; that is normal for this species. Offer a very small meal once the aquarium is calm, then check body shape over the next few days rather than expecting constant daytime movement.

Because this is a tiny species, steady water quality matters more than chasing exact numbers. Keep the substrate clean without stripping all cover, use small regular water changes, and avoid sudden temperature swings. If the tank is stable and quiet, Anchor Catfish can become one of the most characterful small bottom dwellers in the aquarium.

You might also like

• Golden Otocinclus
• Zebra Otocinclus
• Pygmy Corydoras
• Dwarf Marbled Catfish
• Brown Kuhli Loach