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This factsheet for the month of December 2007 has been complied by Catfish author and regular ScotCat contributor Steve Grant and centres on one of his favourite catfish familes, Akysidae, aka "The Asian Stream Catfishes". His subject from this family is a most beautiful species, Akysis longifilis. I will now hand you over to Steve.

his beautiful but secretive catfish has been available over the last few years in a select few aquarist shops. The name initially given to the fish initially was Akysis pictus Günther, 1883, which has a similar colour and pattern, and is also from the region of Myanmar that these fish were being caught. However, it wasn’t until 2006 that the species was described as a new one by Heok Hee Ng, and the differences between it and A. pictus were pointed out. To date I haven’t seen a live A. pictus, but Ng states “Akysis longifilis possesses two distinct light saddle-shaped spots on the upper surfaces of the postdorsal region, while A. pictus possesses a very long light saddle-shaped spot in the same region”.

Akysis longifilis + Akysis prashadi

The type specimens of A. longifilis were caught in Pyu stream, which is a tributary of the Sittang River, 18°29'N, 96°26'E, Pyu township, Bago division, Myanmar.

The number of described species of Akysis has grown considerably over the last few years, primarily because of the work of Heok Hee Ng and others. The number of species imported for the hobby has also grown and some species are very similar to others, sometimes making identification difficult for the untrained eye. However, although it is similar to a few described species thankfully it is easily differentiated from those we currently see in the hobby. The easiest method of identification is its pattern (see images above). Please note however that on my image, the marks on the body are not showing up as dark as they normally do.

Akysis longifilis

Akysis are easy to keep for any decent fishkeeper. The fish in my images are owned by my friend Roy Blackburn. His fish are kept in small tanks (30cm wide x 20cm high x 30cm deep) with a sand bottom, small pipes, and caves. They will either bury themselves in the sand or hide in caves and pipes. They are not usually active during the day but will spring to action and eat voraciously and crazily if food is put in the tank.

All in all these are beautiful little catfish and one I can recommend.

None

None

Akysinae

Asia: Sittang River drainage, southern Myanmar (Burma).

5.5cm (2¼ins)

18-23°C (63-73°F)

Dorsal fin with one hard spine and 3-5 rays; Caudal fin 1 principal ray and 6 rays on each lobe; Anal fin with 3 simple rays and 5-6 branched rays; Ventral fin with one simple ray and 5 branched rays; Pectoral fin with 1 spine and 6 branched rays. Four pairs of barbels; lateral line complete.

We have found them to generally be a peaceful catfish, including amongst themselves. Having said this I wouldn’t necessarily trust them with anything small enough to fit in their mouths.

Although some fishkeepers have found eggs, I am not aware of any successful hatching and rearing of fry of this species.

Males appear longer and narrower in the body to the bulkier females, although even males can get large if fed too much.

They will eat bloodworm, chopped earthworms, whiteworm, daphnia, and sinking pellets (although they seem to prefer live or frozen food).

Proximal: toward the center of the body; the region, the border or the point adjacent to the place of attachment of a projection or appendage; the opposite of distal.
Hyaline: Clear.

longifilis: From the Latin longus, meaning long, and filum, meaning thread, in reference to the long barbels of this species.

Ng, H. H., 2006.Akysis longifilis, a new species of catfish (Teleostei: Akysidae) from Myanmar. Zootaxa 1150: 19-30 (2006).
Hillstream Catfish website (for Ph and temp ranges).

Photo Credits

© Steven Grant @

© Heok Hee Ng