Asian Stone Catfish – Erethistes hara

The Indian Butterfly Catfish (Erethistes hara), also known as Hara Catfish, is a fascinating, small catfish from India and Bangladesh. Its flat, butterfly-shaped body and splayed pectoral fins give it an unmistakable appearance. Despite its small size, this calm mini catfish is a true character fish that delights with its natural behavior.

In its native habitat, Erethistes hara inhabits cool, clear-flowing streams with sandy or gravelly bottoms. It is predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal, calm, peaceful, and very sociable. Due to its small size, it is ideal for smaller, well-structured aquariums with fine substrate and current.

🌿 Characteristics & Husbandry:
🐟 Fish size: M (approx. 4 cm, adult)
🌍 Origin: South Asia (India, Bangladesh) – Wild caught
🌡️ Temperature: 20–26 °C
💧 pH value: 6.5–7.5
⚖️ Total hardness: up to 15 °dGH
🐠 Social behavior: Peaceful, calm, crepuscular
🏞️ Aquarium: from 54 l with sand bottom, plants, stones, current & hiding places

🍽️ Feeding:
The Indian Butterfly Catfish is a connoisseur of frozen and live food such as Cyclops, Artemia, Daphnia, or mosquito larvae. It also accepts fine granular food if it sinks slowly. A varied, high-quality diet promotes vitality and color intensity.

💡 Tip:
Erethistes hara loves cooler, oxygen-rich water with a slight current. It is best kept in small groups of 4–6 animals to promote its natural behavior. A soft, natural setup with leaves and roots provides ideal conditions.

👉 Conclusion:
The Indian Butterfly Catfish (Erethistes hara) is a peaceful, fascinating mini catfish with a unique body shape – perfect for small current or Asian aquariums.