Dwarf anchor catfish

Erethistes jerdoni

A tiny mottled catfish with long pectoral spines; check feeding after dark.

An angular low head, finely rough skin and grey to reddish-brown mottling help it disappear against the bottom. Long pectoral spines are a useful recognition cue; a small adipose fin sits behind the dorsal. Maximum standard length is 2.5–3 cm, excluding the tail fin.

Adult length: About 2.5 cm
Water temperature: 18–24 °C
Lifespan: 3–5 years
pH: 5.6–7.6
Hardness: 8–15 dGH

Natural habitat: Inhabits slow, sandy hill streams, also occurring in rivers and floodplain pools.

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Appearance and identification

Compared with the banjo catfish, it has a small adipose fin and conspicuously elongated pectoral spines, and is much smaller. The banjo has no adipose fin and combines a broad flattened front with a slender tail stem.

Floor and movement space

Keep at 18–24°C, pH 5.6–7.6 and 8–15 dGH. Provide soft sand, shade and shelters with clean, well-oxygenated water; a forceful current is not a substitute for oxygenation.

Aquarium environment

Plants and moss can provide daytime shelter; keep sandy feeding areas accessible. It is not a cleaning animal.

Diet and feeding

Offer small live or frozen food after lights out and check intake. Do not assume that pellets alone are being eaten.

Same-species behaviour

Keep with its own kind.

Compatibility limits

Active bottom fish can outcompete it. Even with small peaceful companions, monitor access to food and disturbance.

Sources

www.fishbase.se ↗ 2026-10-25

www.seriouslyfish.com ↗ 2026-10-22

www.scotcat.com ↗ 2026-10-22

researcharchive.calacademy.org ↗ 2026-10-22

www.scotcat.com ↗ 2026-10-22

api.gbif.org ↗ 2026-10-22