Black Lancer Catfish, scientifically known as Bagrichthys macracanthus, is a type of catfish found in countries like Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand.
This fish is unique among its genus because it’s popular in the aquarium trade. When first brought in, these young fish can be unhealthy.
To help them adjust better, keep these fish at a high temperature of around 85°F (29°C).
Although they are active at night, you can train these catfish to eat during daylight and even feed from your hand.
Black lancer catfish can be territorial but keeping one male with several females can reduce their aggression.
These fish adapt well to various pH and water hardness levels. However, avoid extreme conditions for optimum health.
Black lancer catfish live in large muddy rivers and eat crustaceans, small bottom-dwelling animals, and plant debris that takes longer to digest.
People sell this species fresh in markets.
Black Lancer Catfish Interesting Facts
- Black lancer catfish grow up to 9.8 inches (25.0 centimeters) long and thrive in tropical conditions with a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0.
- They adapt well to various water hardness levels, living in large muddy rivers, and eating crustaceans, small animals, and plant debris.
- These catfish are active at night but can be trained to eat during daylight and even feed from your hand.
- To help young fish adjust better when brought into an aquarium, keep them at a high temperature of around 85°F (29°C).
Black Lancer Catfish Habitat
Black lancer catfish is found in Asia from Thailand to Indonesia. It lives in freshwater environments near the bottom and prefers a pH range of 6.5 to 8.0.
The water hardness (dH) can vary up to 24, and it likes temperatures between 68°F to 82°F (20°C to 28°C). This catfish thrives in tropical conditions.
| Water Temperature: | 68°F to 82°F (20°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.5 to 8.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Black Lancer Catfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 9.8 inches (25.0 centimeters)
Black lancer catfish grow up to 9.8 inches (25.0 centimeters) in length. It has one dorsal spine and 7 dorsal soft rays, as well as 13 to 14 anal soft rays.
Its body is relatively deep and has a long head.
This fish has nasal barbels (whisker-like organs) that reach or extend past its eyes, maxillary barbels reaching the gill cover or pectoral fins, and shorter mandibulary and mental barbels.
The dorsal fin is tall with a serrated spine longer than the body’s depth, and it also has a large adipose fin right behind the dorsal fin.
Black lancer catfish has a wide mouth and straight inner and outer mandibular barbels. Adult fish have 18 to 29 serrae on their long dorsal fin spine.
They are dark brown to black with a pale stripe along their lateral line, sometimes featuring 2 to 3 irregular yellowish-brown vertical bands.
Black Lancer Catfish Reproduction
Black lancer catfish reproduce at the start of the rainy season using flooded forest areas near rivers.
Baby catfish start appearing in August.
Black Lancer Catfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Bagridae |
| Genus: | Bagrichthys |
| Scientific Name: | Bagrichthys macracanthus |
| Also Known As: | Black Lancer Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |