N-stellatus-Hd
Nanobagrus stellatus Tan & Ng, 2000
nanobagrus_stellatus-4

This is one of the smallest Bagridae, with aquarium specimens expected not to exceed 40mm SL.
Overall colouration being brown that has a reddish undertone to it, with a cream coloured intermittent line running from the gill opening to the caudal peduncle, and follows the lateral line. Above the lateral line and running parallel to it, is a row of 5 – 7 cream coloured spots, and below; running parallel to it, is a row of 4 – 5 similar dots. Ventral surface from the snout to the anus, being cream coloured with brownish mottling to it, ventral surface from anus to the caudal peduncle being Brownish red. Dorsal, pectoral, ventral, anal and caudal fins being hyaline with brown rays, adipose fin somewhat darker. Barbels 4 pair, one pair of nasal barbels, one pair of maxillary barbels and two pairs of mandibulary barbels. Eyes medium sized and forward placed.

A substrate of sand or fine rounded gravel interspersed with pieces of bogwood; large stones and plants would make an ideal biotype for them to live in. Small danio's and rasbora's make excellent tank mates.
These little catfish can tolerate quite a wide range of water conditions being quite happy at pH ranges from neutral seven down to pH 5.5 and temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. although they seem to be comfortable with pH readings around 6.5.

Although they will accept a small amount of prepared food, a diet containing live foods such as small bloodworms, grindal worms, sifted daphnia, cyclops and newly hatched brine shrimp, should be provided.