Freshwater

Catfish

More details

Asian Stone Mini Catfish (Hara jerdoni)

Pro

Pro

Description

The Asian Stone Mini Catfish is a tiny, peaceful, and nocturnal catfish with a body shape resembling a dry leaf or stone chip. Its cryptic appearance and shy behavior make it an ideal resident for nano tanks and calm community aquariums.

Difficulty Level

Beginner Friendly

Region

Asian Stone Mini Catfish (Hara jerdoni)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Very low-maintenance. Prefers gentle flow, hiding spots, and peaceful tank mates.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Occasionally wild-caught in small numbers from Indian and Bangladeshi streams. Farming is rare but not urgent due to stable populations.

Origin
Found in slow-moving, shaded streams and ponds across northeastern India and Bangladesh, especially among leaf litter and submerged roots.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Mimics pebbles or leaves with mottled brown coloration and flattened body shape. Barely moves during the day, blending seamlessly into the substrate. Adds a naturalistic, tranquil element to planted or leaf-litter aquascapes.

Purpose
Acts as a peaceful bottom-dweller and micro-predator. Helps control microfauna populations and stirs up fine debris in low-flow tanks.

Importance
Perfect for aquarists seeking small, subtle species that don’t disturb layout aesthetics. It thrives in blackwater and biotope setups where other fish may be too active or large.

Included Resources
Requires leaf litter, driftwood, fine sand or mud substrate, and soft, slightly acidic water. Benefits from subdued lighting and a well-established tank.

Best Use Cases
Excellent in nano tanks, Southeast Asian biotopes, shrimp-safe planted aquariums, and aquascapes emphasizing micro-fauna diversity.

Conservation Context
Populations are stable but could be affected by habitat degradation due to pollution and agriculture. Supporting sustainable trade encourages preservation of these microhabitats.

Ideal Tank Mates
• Shrimp and micro crabs
• Small rasboras or ember tetras
• Sparkling gouramis
• Kuhli loaches
• Celestial pearl danios

Region (A)
• Latitude: 25.3644° N
• Longitude: 88.6115° E
(Sylhet Basin, northeastern Bangladesh)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 26.7376° N
• Longitude: 94.2037° E
(Assam Valley, northeastern India)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Asian Stone Mini Catfish (Hara jerdoni)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Very low-maintenance. Prefers gentle flow, hiding spots, and peaceful tank mates.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Occasionally wild-caught in small numbers from Indian and Bangladeshi streams. Farming is rare but not urgent due to stable populations.

Origin
Found in slow-moving, shaded streams and ponds across northeastern India and Bangladesh, especially among leaf litter and submerged roots.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Mimics pebbles or leaves with mottled brown coloration and flattened body shape. Barely moves during the day, blending seamlessly into the substrate. Adds a naturalistic, tranquil element to planted or leaf-litter aquascapes.

Purpose
Acts as a peaceful bottom-dweller and micro-predator. Helps control microfauna populations and stirs up fine debris in low-flow tanks.

Importance
Perfect for aquarists seeking small, subtle species that don’t disturb layout aesthetics. It thrives in blackwater and biotope setups where other fish may be too active or large.

Included Resources
Requires leaf litter, driftwood, fine sand or mud substrate, and soft, slightly acidic water. Benefits from subdued lighting and a well-established tank.

Best Use Cases
Excellent in nano tanks, Southeast Asian biotopes, shrimp-safe planted aquariums, and aquascapes emphasizing micro-fauna diversity.

Conservation Context
Populations are stable but could be affected by habitat degradation due to pollution and agriculture. Supporting sustainable trade encourages preservation of these microhabitats.

Ideal Tank Mates
• Shrimp and micro crabs
• Small rasboras or ember tetras
• Sparkling gouramis
• Kuhli loaches
• Celestial pearl danios

Region (A)
• Latitude: 25.3644° N
• Longitude: 88.6115° E
(Sylhet Basin, northeastern Bangladesh)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 26.7376° N
• Longitude: 94.2037° E
(Assam Valley, northeastern India)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Asian Stone Mini Catfish (Hara jerdoni)

Core Details

Highlights

Care Level

0

/ 10

Very low-maintenance. Prefers gentle flow, hiding spots, and peaceful tank mates.

Environment Impact

0

/ 10

Occasionally wild-caught in small numbers from Indian and Bangladeshi streams. Farming is rare but not urgent due to stable populations.

Origin
Found in slow-moving, shaded streams and ponds across northeastern India and Bangladesh, especially among leaf litter and submerged roots.

Visual & Functional Appeal
Mimics pebbles or leaves with mottled brown coloration and flattened body shape. Barely moves during the day, blending seamlessly into the substrate. Adds a naturalistic, tranquil element to planted or leaf-litter aquascapes.

Purpose
Acts as a peaceful bottom-dweller and micro-predator. Helps control microfauna populations and stirs up fine debris in low-flow tanks.

Importance
Perfect for aquarists seeking small, subtle species that don’t disturb layout aesthetics. It thrives in blackwater and biotope setups where other fish may be too active or large.

Included Resources
Requires leaf litter, driftwood, fine sand or mud substrate, and soft, slightly acidic water. Benefits from subdued lighting and a well-established tank.

Best Use Cases
Excellent in nano tanks, Southeast Asian biotopes, shrimp-safe planted aquariums, and aquascapes emphasizing micro-fauna diversity.

Conservation Context
Populations are stable but could be affected by habitat degradation due to pollution and agriculture. Supporting sustainable trade encourages preservation of these microhabitats.

Ideal Tank Mates
• Shrimp and micro crabs
• Small rasboras or ember tetras
• Sparkling gouramis
• Kuhli loaches
• Celestial pearl danios

Region (A)
• Latitude: 25.3644° N
• Longitude: 88.6115° E
(Sylhet Basin, northeastern Bangladesh)

Region (B)
• Latitude: 26.7376° N
• Longitude: 94.2037° E
(Assam Valley, northeastern India)

How Many Can I Keep?

Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.

e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)

Asian Stone Mini Catfish (Hara jerdoni)

Region

Drag and orbit around the species’ natural range.

Drag to rotate and discover where this species originates in the world.

Drag to rotate and discover where this species originates in the world.

People also like…

Toothpick Fish (Indostomus paradoxus)

Toothpick Fish (Indostomus paradoxus)
Toothpick Fish (Indostomus paradoxus)
A close-up image of an alligator snapping turtle with a rugged shell and powerful jaws, captured against a plain white background.

Mata Mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata)

Mata Mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata)
Mata Mata Turtle (Chelus fimbriata)
A realistic, brown tortoise figurine with a textured shell and detailed facial features, set against a plain white background.

African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)

African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)
African Side-neck Turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa)
A brown turtle with a textured shell and scaly legs is standing on a white background, looking forward attentively.

West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)

West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)
West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)
A softshell turtle with a long neck and distinctive patterned shell is positioned against a plain, neutral background, showcasing its textured skin and unique markings.

Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox, Apalone spinifera, Apalone mutica)

Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox, Apalone spinifera, Apalone mutica)
Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox, Apalone spinifera, Apalone mutica)
A brown snapping turtle with textured skin and a hard shell stands on a plain white background, showcasing its rugged, prehistoric appearance.

Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)