Mystus Singaringan

Datasheet

General Description

The Mystus Singaringan, a member of the Bagridae family, is a large and somewhat robust species not commonly found in the aquarium hobby. It typically reaches a maximum size of 30.0cm and is utilized as a food fish in its native countries of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Aquarium Setup

To house a Mystus Singaringan, a minimum tank size of 240 litres is recommended. The tank setup should include hiding places such as driftwood shelters, flowerpots, and PVC piping. Floating plants are beneficial to reduce light reaching the substrate. The substrate should be soft and sandy in order to mimic its natural habitat. Water conditions should be maintained with a pH range of 5.6-7.0, a water hardness of 1-12°dH, and a temperature between 22-27°C (see table).

Behaviour

The Mystus Singaringan can exhibit territorial and aggressive behavior, making it unsuitable to be housed with other territorial bottom dwellers. It has a tendency to prey on smaller fish. However, it can coexist with larger fish such as tinfoil or lemon-finned barbs, Apollo sharks, and large cichlids. This species is often intolerant of its own kind, so it is advisable to keep only one unless in a very large tank.

Feeding and Diet

Like other Mystus species, the M. Singaringan is an unfussy eater that readily accepts small live, frozen, and dried foods. It is recommended to provide a varied diet to ensure optimal nutrition for the fish.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Reproduction of the Mystus Singaringan in aquarium settings has not been documented. Males can be distinguished by possessing a relatively long genital papilla located just in front of the anal fin.

Habitat and Distribution

In the wild, the Mystus Singaringan inhabits slow-moving parts of rivers and migrates into flooded forest areas during the wet season. It is commonly found over soft substrates in its native regions of Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, and Indonesia.