Conta Torrent Catfish

Conta conta is a highly unusual and rarely encountered sisorid catfish from the Karnaphuli River system in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts. Its extremely elongated, worm-like body is banded in dark and pale rings along its length — a unique body plan within the Sisoridae that has attracted significant scientific interest. In the wild it inhabits fast-flowing, rocky hill streams with clear, cold, well-oxygenated water.

In the aquarium, Conta conta demands the strictest hillstream conditions — cool, fast-flowing, highly oxygenated water with smooth rocks or pebbles on which it can rest and anchor. It is intolerant of tropical temperatures and any reduction in water quality or oxygen level will rapidly cause it distress. It is an infrequent import and may require specific sourcing through specialist suppliers.

This species is entirely peaceful and best maintained in a species-only or carefully managed hillstream biotope with other cool-water rheophilic inhabitants. Feed with the smallest frozen invertebrates in the current flow. Conta conta's extraordinary body form and extreme rarity in the hobby make it one of the most coveted catfish for the advanced specialist.

Water: 16–24°C, pH 6.5–7.5, moderately hard (GH 5–15); maximum oxygenation and strong flow obligatory. Tank: 40 L minimum; smooth pebbles; very powerful flow; species biotope tank recommended. Feeding: Micro-daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, micro-bloodworm; placed in current near fish. Breeding: Not reported in captivity. Compatibility: Peaceful; best in a cool hillstream species biotope.