Order Siluriformes
Family Bagridae
Continued…
Genus Mystus
— Two Spot Pink Bagrid — Mystus micracanthus [Bleeker, 1946]. (Eng.- Two Spot Pink Bagrid). Synonyms: Bagrus, Hypselobagrus micracanthus. Rivers of Sumatra, Java, Thailand, Sri Lanka. 10-15 cm. Flank coloration is bluish-brown, back is darker. A feature of the species is dark, almost black spots: one, rounded, behind the gill covers (has a wide light border) and another in the form of a band encompassing the caudal peduncle (preceded by a light band). Males are smaller and leaner than females.
Gregarious, peaceful fish. Requires dense vegetation, driftwood, and other hiding places. Tank mates should not be too small. They like to dig in the substrate, stirring up silt. Filtration, aeration, weekly water changes. Lifespan is 8 years. dH up to 20°; pH 6.5-7.8; temperature 20-26°C.
— Mystus pulcher — Mystus pulcher [Chaudhuri, 1911]. Synonym: Macrones pulcher. Myanmar. 8-12 cm. Four pairs of black-brown barbels, maxillary barbels reach the beginning of the anal fin. It has a long dark brown adipose fin. The back and upper body are dark brown. The body is beige with 3 white-cream longitudinal stripes along the body and two dark spots in the shoulder area and at the base of the caudal fin. Caudal and dorsal fins are brownish with spots on the membranes between the rays. Similar to Mystus bimaculatus, but body coloration is more reddish and the two spots have a lighter outer edge, and they lack the 3 body stripes.
Aquarium with plants and shelters. Plenty of hiding places give them confidence, allowing them to move freely around the aquarium. Peaceful, keep in small groups. Substrate — either sand or gravel. Well-adapted to various water parameters in the aquarium. They like flake food, tablets, and frozen foods such as bloodworms. pH 6-7; T 20-27°C.
— Guinea Catfish, Pyjama Catfish — Mystus tengara [Hamilton, 1822]. Synonyms: Macrones, Pimelodus tengara. (Eng.- Guinea Catfish, Pyjama Catfish). Rivers of India, Burma. 12-16 cm. This species is very similar to the striped dwarf catfish M. vittatus. The white belly and body stripes shine with mother-of-pearl, and the long barbels and eyes give the fish a very extravagant appearance. Usually, the pearly bluish color of this catfish has a pale brown coating on the dorsal surface and head.
From the shoulder to the end of the caudal peduncle, there are two thin light silver stripes ending at the tail base with a dark round spot. All fins are light with a bluish tint. The male is smaller, leaner, and, like other catfishes, has a special outgrowth — the urogenital papilla. Sometimes, light-colored individuals appear among the offspring of this mystus, which has now been fixed.
They grow very quickly, so a large aquarium should be chosen for them. Gregarious, active fish, sometimes even during the day. It is best to keep these catfishes in a group of three or more so they can show themselves in all their glory. These fish need space; they are very mobile and love to race around the aquarium. They also need hiding places in the form of various driftwood and caves. These catfishes can damage live plants by nibbling on their tender young leaves.
They are predators, so all small fish, if any are present in your aquariums, will sooner or later be eaten by the catfishes. At the same time, they can be mischievous, nipping the long fins of other fish. Therefore, it is best to keep them in the company of large fish. pH 6.5-7.5; dH up to 25°; T 20-26°C.
— Asian Striped Catfish, Striped Dwarf Catfish — Mystus vittatus [Bloch, 1794]. (Eng.- Asian Striped Catfish, Striped Dwarf Catfish). Synonym: M. atrifasciatus. India, Burma, Laos, Sri Lanka, fast river rapids and overgrown lakes and ponds. 20 cm, in aquarium 10-12 cm. Body is elongated, head is large. With age, they change their coloration several times. The main background is silvery-gray, the back is blue-gray with a pink-purple tint, and two narrow pale blue stripes run along each flank. There is a dark spot on the gill cover. They have very long barbels on the upper jaw. Males are leaner, smaller, and more contrastingly colored.
Peaceful, but adult fish can eat small (less than 8 cm) fish. Compatible with large fish, including cichlids. These fish are active mostly at night, while during the day they simply lie low in their shelters — crevices in driftwood, stone caves, flower pots. During the day, like timid mice, they occasionally dart from one hiding place to another.
As they get older, they like to attack their aquarium neighbors at night. The aquarium must be provided with a sufficient amount of driftwood and stones and planted with plants. They have no special requirements for water quality. Filtration, aeration, weekly water changes. They emit characteristic creaking sounds using their pectoral fin joints. By one month of age, juveniles grow up to 2.5-3 cm. Lifespan is up to 5 years. dH up to 26°; pH 6-8; T 22-30°C.
Ompok bimaculatus, eugeneiatus, Pterocryptis anomala, Silurichthys indragiriensis.
Mystus armatus, Mystus bocourti, Mystus leucophasis. 
