Moth Catfish

Hara jerdoni is a diminutive sisorid catfish from the rocky hill streams of the Brahmaputra drainage in India and Bangladesh's Chittagong Hills. Its stubby, heavily textured body is covered in prominent tubercles and its broad, flattened pectoral fins act as anchors against strong current. Despite its tiny size — rarely exceeding 4 cm — it is a remarkably robust fish in appropriate cool, fast-water conditions.

In the aquarium, Hara jerdoni requires a hillstream-style setup with strong water movement, high oxygenation, cool temperatures, and smooth river stones. It is intolerant of warm, low-oxygen conditions and must not be exposed to temperatures above 24°C for extended periods. In an appropriately furnished setup it is an active species that grips rock surfaces with ease and moves between stones searching for invertebrates.

Hara jerdoni is best kept in small groups of four or more individuals in a dedicated hillstream nano setup. It is entirely peaceful and compatible with other small cool-water rheophilic species. Feed with the smallest available frozen invertebrates — micro-daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, and micro-bloodworm — delivered in the current flow. Its remarkable texture and adhesive behaviour make it one of the most unusual nano catfish available.

Water: 16–24°C, pH 6.5–7.5, moderately hard (GH 5–15); high dissolved oxygen and strong flow required. Tank: 40 L minimum; smooth river pebbles; strong powerhead; keep in groups of 4+. Feeding: Micro-daphnia, brine shrimp nauplii, micro-bloodworm; deliver in current flow. Breeding: Not achieved in captivity reliably. Compatibility: Peaceful; compatible with hillstream loaches and other nano cool-water species.