Freshwater ich
Watch for: Small white spots, flashing against objects, clamped fins or faster breathing.
First response: Confirm the signs, test water and use a treatment known to be safe for every species in the system.
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Run compatibility check
Malapterurus microstoma
Smallmouth Electric Catfish
freshwater
Bioload 0.9
Expert care
Malapteruridae
Your complete care profile
Smallmouth Electric Catfish (Malapterurus microstoma) is a freshwater fish associated with Africa, with a recorded adult length of up to 55.5 cm. This source-backed catalogue profile brings its essential aquarium planning information together on one page.
Temperature
23–28°C
pH range
6.5–7.5
Minimum tank
600 litres
Typical lifespan
15 years
Diet
Omnivore
Origin
Africa
Adult size
Up to 55.5 cm
Care level
Expert
Care level recorded in the source-backed catalogue profile.
Aquarium context
freshwater system
Present in the aquarium trade
Planning to add Smallmouth Electric Catfish?
Check it against your aquarium before purchase, then use the complete preparation checklist below.
Check compatibilitySpecies identity
Know the fish
Common name
Smallmouth Electric Catfish
Scientific name
Malapterurus microstoma
Family
Malapteruridae
Family group
Electric catfishes
Water type
freshwater
Native range
Africa
Social planning
Individual assessment
Conservation
Least concern (LC)
Aquarium setup
Build the right system
A fully cycled freshwater aquarium using conditioned water, stable temperature and no detectable ammonia or nitrite.
Use 600 litres as the minimum planning baseline before allowing extra space for a group, tank mates, decor and swimming behaviour.
Hold temperature at 23–28°C and pH at 6.5–7.5; stability matters more than chasing a single number.
Design the aquarium around the recorded adult length of 55.5 cm, not the juvenile size seen at purchase.
Provide retreat areas and visual breaks while preserving enough unobstructed space for normal movement and feeding.
Filtration & waste
High waste load (0.9 index): use generously sized biological and mechanical filtration, strong oxygenation and close test-led maintenance.
Feeding
Omnivore diet
Use a varied omnivore staple with complementary plant and animal ingredients. Feed controlled portions and adjust to body condition and waste production.
Observe
Confirm every fish reaches food and swallows it.
Control
Stop before leftovers can decay in the aquarium.
Review
Track body condition, waste and feeding response over time.
Behaviour & tank mates
Community planning
Treat temperament as an individual assessment. Observe feeding and territorial behaviour, and keep a safe separation plan available.
No simple community match is approved in this profile. Plan species-only housing or obtain a specialist compatibility assessment before adding tank mates.
No pre-approved tank mate is listed. That is a safety signal, not a claim that every pairing will fail.
Health watch
Recognise warning signs early
These are risks to monitor, not diagnoses. Test the aquarium first and seek an aquatic vet or experienced specialist for severe, fast-moving or uncertain symptoms.
Environmental stress
Watch for: Hiding, faded colour, clamped fins, glass surfing, rapid breathing or appetite loss.
First response: Test water, review temperature and tank mates, reduce disturbance and correct problems gradually.
Handling injury
Watch for: Missing scales, abrasions, bent fins, poor balance or rapid breathing after capture or transfer.
First response: Dim the lights, minimise further handling and provide clean, highly oxygenated, stable water.
Before bringing one home
Five-point readiness check
The established aquarium is at least 600 litres and matches the required freshwater system.
Temperature and pH overlap the full 23–28°C and 6.5–7.5 ranges.
A suitable omnivore food is available and the seller can demonstrate that the fish is feeding.
Ammonia and nitrite test at zero, acclimation is planned and a quarantine or observation option is ready.
Every proposed tank mate has been screened for adult size, behaviour, feeding competition and water compatibility.
Data & source notes
Transparent, in-app data
IUCN LC
Catalogue source
FishBase · release 26.07
Species record
FishBase SpecCode 4531
Aquarium context
Present in the aquarium trade
Temperature basis
FishBase stock temperature range
pH basis
FishSnap freshwater planning baseline
Tank basis
FishSnap conservative planning baseline derived from adult size, water type, social ecology and family
Lifespan basis
FishSnap size/family planning estimate
Photo credit
ゆうき315 · CC BY-SA 4.0
FishBase remains an editorial reference, but the useful species and care information is interpreted here so you do not have to leave FishSnap. Conservative planning baselines are labelled as guidance, not guarantees.