Burmese Marble Catfish
Burmese Marble Catfish (Akysis prashadi) is a close relative of the Orange Mini Bee Catfish — another tiny, nocturnal torrent catfish from the fast-flowing mountain streams of Myanmar. The body displays a marbled pattern of dark brown and cream blotching rather than the vivid banding of A. vespa, with the same characteristic robust, slightly flattened profile and whiskered face. Like all Akysis, it possesses mild venom associated with the pectoral fin spines.
Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Micro Pellets crushed and soaked, placed near hiding spots after lights out. Supplement with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp and Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms 2–3 times per week. Feed only after lights out — daytime feeding is largely ignored by this strictly nocturnal species.
Native to clear, fast-flowing streams in the Irrawaddy River drainage of Burma (Myanmar). The Irrawaddy drainage produces several unusual and underexplored catfish species, and Akysis prashadi was named for the Indian ichthyologist Sunder Lal Hora's assistant S. Prasad. Cool, well-oxygenated water with rocky substrate and sandy areas for burrowing is essential.
Keep in small groups of three or more — more active in company. Requires cool, clean, fast-moving water — not suitable for standard warm tropical setups. Ideal for hillstream or torrent-style aquariums alongside small hillstream loaches and cool-water danios.
A specialist fish for the hillstream aquarium enthusiast. Its rarity in the trade, marbled pattern, and unusual Akysis biology make it a rewarding find for aquarists who appreciate unusual Southeast Asian catfish.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful — cool water specialist |
| Typical Adult Size | 2.0 inches (5 cm) |
| Min. Group Size | 3 minimum |
| Ideal Temp | 64–75°F (18–24°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 3–12 dGH |
| Ideal KH | 1–6 dKH |
| Staple Food | Hikari Micro Pellets (crushed/soaked) |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Baby Brine Shrimp; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms |
| Origin | Irrawaddy River drainage, Myanmar (Burma) |
| Notes | Mild venom from pectoral fin spines — handle carefully. Cool, fast, clean water essential. Nocturnal — feed after lights out only. Named for S. Prasad. Sandy burrowing area required. |
