Phantom Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus)

👻 Phantom Glass Catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus)
The transparent beauty that glides like a ghost — a peaceful, mesmerizing favorite for community tanks!

The Phantom Glass Catfish, also known as the Ghost Catfish, is a stunning and completely transparent species that looks like it swam straight out of a dream. With an elegant body you can literally see through, this peaceful fish adds motion, mystery, and fascination to any well-planted aquarium. Its see-through body, soft movements, and shimmering reflections make it a favorite among aquarists who love a touch of the unusual.

🔍 Quick Facts:

• Common Names: Phantom Glass Catfish, Ghost Catfish, Glass Cat

• Scientific Name: Kryptopterus vitreolus

• Origin: Thailand

• Size: 3–5 inches

• Temperament: Peaceful, shy, social

• Lifespan: 5–8 years

• Care Level: Beginner to Intermediate

🏡 Ideal Aquarium Setup:

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (ideally larger for groups)

• Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)

• pH Range: 6.5–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Tank Tips:

  • Keep in groups of at least 5–6 for comfort and natural schooling behavior

  • Low flow and gentle filtration preferred

  • Plenty of plants and hiding spaces to help them feel secure

  • Subdued lighting enhances their ghostly glow and reduces stress

  • Excellent community fish when paired with peaceful tankmates (tetras, rasboras, corydoras)

🍽️ Diet:
Omnivorous

• Eats small sinking pellets and micro-granules

• Enjoys live or frozen foods: daphnia, bloodworms, baby brine shrimp

• Will not compete aggressively for food — ensure they’re getting their share in community tanks

🐣 Breeding Info:

• Rarely bred in captivity

• Requires soft, acidic water and hormonal cues in most cases

• Breeding usually occurs in controlled, commercial farm settings

🌟 Fun Facts:

• One of the only truly transparent fish in the aquarium trade — you can even see its beating heart!

• Completely lacks body pigment and has nearly invisible fins

• Uses electroreception to help navigate murky waters in the wild

• Often confused with similar species — but Kryptopterus vitreolus is the true ghost catfish

💡 Pro Tip:
Avoid boisterous or aggressive tankmates — their shy nature and delicate build make them best suited to peaceful, calm environments.

👻 Add ethereal elegance to your tank with the Phantom Glass Catfish — a school of these ghostly swimmers will turn any aquarium into a living work of art.

🛒 Available now — limited stock of this shimmering wonder!