Dwarf Anchor Catfish

Dwarf Anchor Catfish (Hara jerdoni) is one of the smallest and most unusual catfish available — a tiny South Asian torrent catfish that rarely exceeds 1.5 inches. The flat, wide body with spreading pectoral fins and a strongly downward-turned mouth create a distinctive anchor-like profile when viewed from above. The skin is rough and granular rather than smooth, and the entire fish is adapted for clinging to rocks in fast-flowing mountain streams.

Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets crushed very fine and soaked make the best staple — particle size is critical for this tiny fish. Supplement with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp and Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms placed directly on rocks near the fish's resting spot. Feed after lights out. Established biofilm and algae on rocks provides supplemental grazing.

Native to clear, fast-flowing hill streams of Bangladesh, northeastern India, and Nepal — the Brahmaputra and Ganges hill stream drainages. The genus Hara (previously also listed as Erethistes) contains several similar torrent catfish species adapted for life in swift, rocky streams with high oxygen content. Cool, extremely clean, well-oxygenated water is essential.

Keep in groups of at least four — more active and visible in small groups. This species requires cool, fast-moving, pristine water — it is incompatible with typical tropical community conditions. Ideal companions are hillstream loaches, small danios, and other cool, fast-water species. Absolutely requires rocky substrate with established biofilm.

A true specialist fish for the hillstream or torrent aquarium. The Dwarf Anchor Catfish rewards the aquarist who replicates its mountain stream habitat — in the right setup it is active, fascinating to observe, and long-lived. In a warm, still tropical community aquarium it will decline quickly.

Care & Ideal Parameters