Intermediate
Golden Otocinclus (Otocinclus vittatus)
20–25°C · pH 6–7.5 · 70L
£5.99
Tiny Asian Stone Catfish for mature cooler aquariums with shaded cover, gentle flow, small foods and peaceful tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Hara jerdoni
Anchor Catfish are a shoaling species — they need 6+ to feel safe and show their full colour.
Tiny Asian Stone Catfish for mature cooler aquariums with shaded cover, gentle flow, small foods and peaceful tank mates.
Adult size is the maximum length this species reaches at full maturity (scientific sources). The livestock you receive will be younger and smaller — pick a size variant above for the actual shipping size. Photos are AI-enhanced, so the animal may show subtle colour or marking differences.
Maintain these water conditions for optimal health and vibrant colors
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.
| Scientific name | Hara jerdoni |
|---|---|
| Common names | Anchor Catfish, Asian Stone Catfish, Dwarf Anchor Catfish |
| Adult size | Usually around 2.5-4 cm |
| Minimum aquarium | 30 litres or larger for a small group, with mature filtration |
| Temperature | 18-24 C, cooler tropical rather than very warm |
| pH and hardness | Around neutral pH; moderate hardness is usually suitable |
| Temperament | Peaceful, shy, bottom-dwelling and mostly crepuscular/nocturnal |
| Diet | Small frozen foods, fine sinking foods and tiny meaty items |
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.
| Substrate | Fine sand or smooth, rounded material |
|---|---|
| Cover | Leaves, wood, low caves and shaded plant growth |
| Flow | Gentle to moderate; avoid blasting the bottom resting zones |
| Water quality | Stable mature filtration, zero ammonia/nitrite and low nitrate |
| Lighting | Moderate or dim areas help shy fish settle |
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.
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.
| Best kept as | A small group of 4-6 where space allows |
|---|---|
| Activity pattern | Mostly hidden by day, more active in dim light |
| Good signs | Settled resting positions, rounded bellies, prompt feeding after lights dim |
| Stress signs | Constant exposure, pinched belly, missed meals or bullying by faster fish |
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.
| Staple foods | Fine sinking granules and small meaty frozen foods |
|---|---|
| Useful treats | Cyclops, daphnia, baby brine shrimp and tiny bloodworm pieces |
| Timing | After lights dim, or with a feeding tube to the resting area |
| Avoid | Large hard pellets, messy overfeeding and tanks where all food is stolen first |
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.
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.
| Mistake | Why it matters | Better approach |
|---|---|---|
| Putting them into a new tank | Tiny catfish handle waste spikes poorly | Use a mature, tested aquarium |
| Keeping them too warm | Very warm water can shorten comfort margins | Plan a cooler tropical community |
| Using sharp gravel | Bottom-resting fish can rub on rough substrate | Use sand or smooth rounded material |
| Feeding only in bright light | Faster fish may steal the food first | Feed after lights dim or target-feed gently |
| Good choice if | Your tank is mature, calm, cooler tropical and has shaded bottom cover |
|---|---|
| Wait if | The aquarium is new, very warm, brightly bare or full of fast bottom feeders |
| Delivery note | Use the acclimation steps on arrival and keep lights low while they settle |
| Trust cues | WELCOME10 can help first orders, and the Live Arrival Guarantee applies when the delivery steps are followed |
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.
20–25°C · pH 6–7.5 · 70L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7.5 · 60L
22–26°C · pH 6.5–7.5 · 60L
18–26°C · pH 6.5–8 · 30L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 500L
20–27°C · pH 6–7 · 54L
23–27°C · pH 7.4–8.4 · 150L
24–28°C · pH 6.5–7.8 · 300L
24–28°C · pH 5.5–7 · 60L
18–25°C · pH 6–8 · 100L
24–28°C · pH 7–8 · 120L
18–28°C · pH 6.5–8 · 20L
24–27°C · pH 7.5–8.8 · 150L
22–26°C · pH 6–7.5 · 60L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 40L
24–28°C · pH 7.5–8.5 · 500L
