Striped Mystus

Mystus vittatus is a widely distributed South Asian bagrid catfish found from Pakistan through India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Its silvery body is marked by several dark horizontal stripes running from behind the head to the tail base, creating an attractive, streamlined appearance. It is a commercially important food fish across much of its range and is also regularly kept in aquariums, particularly in its native region.

In the aquarium, Mystus vittatus is an active, alert species that occupies the lower and mid sections of the water column. It is crepuscular and nocturnal in its feeding habits and will be most visible and most active in the hours around dawn and dusk. A robust species tolerant of a fairly wide range of water parameters, it is an accessible choice for aquarists with experience of medium-to-large community setups.

This species is omnivorous and will eat most sinking foods including pellets, frozen bloodworm, earthworms, and occasional plant matter. It is semi-aggressive and may nip at slow, long-finned tankmates or compete aggressively for food, so robust, similarly active companions are recommended. Medium tetras, barbs, and other bagrid catfish are suitable companions.

Water: 20–28°C, pH 6.5–7.5, soft to moderately hard (GH 2–18). Tank: 150 L minimum; sand or gravel substrate; driftwood caves; moderate to strong filtration. Feeding: Sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, earthworms, small prawn pieces; omnivorous. Breeding: Not commonly bred in captivity; seasonal spawner in the wild. Compatibility: Semi-aggressive; best with medium robust fish; avoid slow long-finned species.