The Heteropneustes fossilis family includes only one species called the sack-gill catfish. The role of the lung in these fish is performed by 2 sacs, located from the operculum to the very tail, hence the name of the species.
Feeding and neighbors
The habitats of these fish are fresh waters of Southeast Asia, India, Thailand, Burma and Sri Lanka. The sacgill catfish is a predator with sharp poisonous thorns, the pricks of which resemble a bee sting.
In free conditions, it can reach almost a meter in length. In an aquarium, its size limit will be limited to 30-35 cm, depending on the capacity. The predator's neighbors can be various large fish that are able to fend for themselves. Small peace-loving species from such a neighborhood may not be good - the sackgill catfish will happily bite into any fish that fits in its mouth. This species of catfish is a nocturnal predator, preferring to remain in the shade during the daytime, only occasionally floating to the surface to satisfy hunger. It gets along remarkably well with fish such as scalar or Thai mastasembel. They are indiscriminate in food, they can eat any proposed product - live, dry, vegetable. Particular preference is given only to seafood
Optimal diet for bagged catfish: live food (for example, pieces of fish, shrimp), dry food. Starter feed for fry: brine shrimp nauplii.
Features of keeping catfish
The aquarium in which the sack-gill catfish lives must be equipped with a well-closing lid. These predators need a lot of air and occasionally float to the surface to take a breath of fresh air. In addition, they tend to jump out of the space provided to them. But if the catfish nevertheless jumped out, it is enough to return it to its place, and after a while it will come to its senses. And in the open air, catfish is able to stretch out much longer time than many other fish due to respiratory sacs.
Ideal living conditions for catfish: temperature within 21-26 C º, water hardness up to 20 º, pH about 7. And, of course, aeration, use of filters and weekly replacement of about 30% of water are necessary. Also, the aquarium should be equipped with various shelters, planting plants so that the catfish does not experience discomfort.
In the general aquarium, sackgill catfish are quite successfully kept with the following neighbors: labeo, polypters, cichlids, large barbs, knife fish, gourami, kalamoicht, iris and brocade ptergoplichtis.
When pulling a catfish out of the aquarium, you should be careful - the thorns on its fins can cause decent trouble, they can get tangled in the net and damage the fish. Therefore, it is better to catch baggill catfish with a large and dense net or a plastic bag.
The aquarium sack-gill catfish is a long-liver; in comfortable and convenient conditions, its life can be about 12 years.
