Banded dwarf three-barbel catfish

Where they come from

Nannoglanis fasciatus is a little African catfish from West/Central African forest streams. Think shallow, tea-colored water with leaf litter, roots, and patches of sand. They are built for poking around the bottom in gentle flow, not for blasting around open water.

Setting up their tank

This is one of those fish where the tank layout matters more than the gallon number. Give them a bottom they can work and lots of places to tuck into, and they will show themselves way more often.

• Tank size: I would not do them in anything under 20 gallons long. 30+ gallons gives you room to build multiple hide zones and keeps water steadier.
• Substrate: fine sand is my pick. They will sift and nosing around is half their life. Smooth small gravel can work, but sand looks and functions better.
• Hardscape: leaf litter, small rounded stones, driftwood, and root tangles. Make caves and low overhangs rather than tall rock piles.
• Plants: low light plants (Anubias, Java fern, Bolbitis) attached to wood/rock. Floating plants help them feel safe.
• Flow and oxygen: moderate flow with good surface agitation. They do not need rapids, but they do appreciate clean, oxygen-rich water.
• Lighting: keep it subdued. If the tank is bright, they will turn into little ghosts.

What to feed them

These guys are micro-predators and scavengers, but they are not lawnmowers. If you only toss in flakes and hope for the best, they will slowly fade.

• Staples: sinking micro pellets, small sinking carnivore pellets, and quality wafers that do not turn to mush instantly.
• Frozen: bloodworms, blackworms, daphnia, cyclops, chopped brine shrimp, and mysis (if the pieces are small enough).
• Live (great for conditioning): blackworms, grindal worms, small earthworm bits. Live foods flip the switch for shy fish.
• Feeding style: feed after lights out or at least at dusk. Use a feeding dish or drop food in the same couple of spots so they learn where to check.

How they behave and who they get along with

They are mostly peaceful, a bit shy, and more active once the room lights go down. In a well-scaped tank they will cruise the bottom and poke through leaves like tiny bulldozers.

I have had the best luck keeping them in a small group. Solo individuals tend to stay hidden. In groups, you see more natural behavior and less jumpiness.

• Good tankmates: calm tetras, small rasboras, pencilfish, non-aggressive dwarf cichlids (with caution), and other peaceful bottom fish that are not too pushy.
• Avoid: big cichlids, fin-nippers, super-competitive feeders, and anything that might view a small catfish as a snack.
• Bottom space matters: do not crowd the floor with too many bottom dwellers. They want their own routes and hide spots.

Breeding tips

Breeding is possible but not something I would call casual. Most people buy them wild-caught, and getting a confirmed pair is half the battle.

• Group them and let them sort it out. Start with 6+ if you can and let a pair form naturally.
• Condition heavy on live/frozen foods for a few weeks. You want round bellies and confident behavior.
• Give spawning sites: tight caves, leaf piles, and small tubes. They like privacy.
• Triggering: a cooler water change and fresh flow can help, especially if you can mimic a rainy-season feel without swinging parameters wildly.

Common problems to watch for

• Skin and barbels getting ragged: usually rough substrate, dirty bottom, or bacterial issues from poor water. Switch to sand and improve maintenance.
• Mysterious weight loss: they are not getting food (outcompeted) or you are feeding too dry/too large foods. Go smaller, sink it, and feed after dark.
• Hiding nonstop: tank is too bright, too open, or tankmates are stressing them. Add cover, dim the light, and check who is bullying who.
• Sensitivity to meds: like many catfish, they can react badly to strong doses. If you have to medicate, research the specific med and start conservative.
• Jumping during spooks: keep a lid. They can rocket upward if startled, especially during maintenance.