Gold Hovering Catfish
Gold Hovering Catfish (Rama chandramara) is a delicate and unusual bagrid catfish from India and Bangladesh with a semi-transparent body and a unique behavioral quirk that gives it its name — it frequently adopts a head-down, almost vertical 'hovering' posture, nose pointed toward the substrate, as if permanently inspecting the bottom. This endearing behavior, combined with its subtle golden translucency, makes it a charming and distinctive nano catfish.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets soaked briefly make the best staple. Supplement with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp and Hikari Frozen Daphnia 2–3 times per week — small frozen foods that mimic the mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, and daphnia this species eats in nature. Feed in a calm environment; this species is shy and slow to feed. Dim lighting and dither fish help bring it out.
Native to slow-moving ditches, streams, and canals of northern India and Bangladesh — the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages. The genus Chandramara was recently reclassified into Rama, though older sources and the aquarium trade still use Chandramara chandramara. Inhabits heavily vegetated, slow-moving water with soft substrate and gentle flow.
Keep in groups of at least five — this species is noticeably more confident and visible in numbers. It is shy by nature and benefits greatly from 'dither fish' — small, active mid-water fish like nano rasboras or tetras whose calm behavior signals safety and draws the catfish out of hiding. Dwarf gouramis and Kuhli loaches are also noted as compatible companions.
A genuinely unusual and underappreciated nano catfish. The hovering posture, semi-transparent body, and schooling behavior are all atypical for a catfish and make this species a fascinating conversation piece in a planted nano aquarium.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful — shy nano specialist |
| Typical Adult Size | 2.0 inches (5 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 5 minimum |
| Ideal Temp | 72–79°F (22–26°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 3–12 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 1–6 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Micro Pellets (soaked) |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen Daphnia |
| Origin | Northern India and Bangladesh (Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages) |
| Notes | Genus reclassified from Chandramara to Rama — trade still uses Chandramara chandramara. Characteristic head-down hovering posture. Semi-transparent body. Schooling behavior. Shy — benefits from dither fish. Not commonly available. |
