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 e welcome back Chris Ralph for an in depth look at another, what I would call, "beastie" from the genus, Hemibagrus, Hemibagrus wyckii, and also our third factsheet on this genus after Hemibagrus nemerus and Hemibagrus wyckioides. With no more ado I will now hand you over to Chris.

Hemibagrus wyckii has evil written throughout its body. This is not a catfish for the novice fishkeeper and should not be kept within the confines of small aquaria. This particular species is often referred to as a “tank buster” due to the size that it can attain. These catfish are destined to be kept in solitary confinement due to their predatory and territorial habits.

Hemibagrus wyckii

This catfish is still referred to as Mystus wyckii in some aquatic literature, especially older reference books, and also by one or two aquatic retailers. It is sometimes confused also with another member of the family Bagridae, Hemibagrus wyckioides or the Asian Red-tailed Catfish which was formerly known as Mystus nemurus. These two catfish are totally different by virtue of the fact that one fish, Hemibagrus wyckii, is black, whilst the other, Hemibagrus wyckioides, is light grey to brown with a distinct red coloured tail. This catfish is very bold and has been known to attack the hand of the owner feeding it!

Hemibagrus wyckii - showing the large mouth

For its tank size I would suggest a minimum size of 96” x 24” X 24” for a single specimen with very little if any décor. Heater guards should be provided in order to help prevent heaters being damaged by the fish, or if using a sump filter place the heater(s) within it, thus avoiding the need for heater guards. As with all other species of fish, water quality and general husbandry is very important, and I would recommend that a minimum of 25% water is changed on a weekly basis.

These catfish are referred to as Plakotkao by the fishermen in Thailand who also suggest that this catfish has mystical qualities.

Crystal-eyed Catfish.

Mystus wicki, Hemibagrus wycki, Bagrus wyckii, Macrones wyckii, Mystus wyckii, Mystus wycki.

Bagrinae

Asia: Freshwater rivers of Thailand, Mekong, Sumatra, Java, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Indonesia and Laos.

710mm S.L. (standard length – this is the measurement of the fish from the tip of the snout to the base of the caudal peduncle).

22-26°C (71-79°F)

The body of Hemibagrus wyckii is described as being depressed and broad, and the head is also described as being extremely depressed and broad. The dorsal fin spine is described as being well ossified and long with between 10 and 12 serrations on the posterior edge. Hemibagrus wyckii has a smooth flat skull roof with the occipital process reaching the basal bone of the dorsal fin. The pectoral fins have 10-11 soft rays and the pelvic fins have 6 soft rays. The caudal fin is forked.

Hemibagrus wyckii is not compatible with any other fish especially smaller species as they will eventually feature somewhere on the menu!.

There have not been any reports of successful aquarium spawnings of Hemibagrus wyckii to my knowledge, which I guess is not really surprising considering the fact that these catfish are not tolerant of one another.

Hemibagrus wyckii readily accepts a diet which includes pieces of fish, whole prawns, mussels and earthworms to name but a few. In its natural habitat this catfish is a predator capable of devouring any fish small enough to fit inside its large mouth.

Hemi- half; bagrus - From 'bagre', a South American name for a catfish, but is only used for African and Asian species.
wyckii: in honour of Herman Constantijn Van der Wijck (1815-1889), Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion, Regent of the Preanger Regencies, Java, Indonesia (type locality), who invited Bleeker to a fishing party in which the river was poisoned with “akar toeba” (a plant whose roots contain the ichthyocide rotenone) and large masses of stunned fishes were ladled from the water [a regency is a rural area, larger than a city; a regent is its leader, similar to a mayor].

Photo Credits

© Jean-Francois Helias @