{"product_id":"wasp-stream-catfish-akysis-vespa-3cm-aquarium-glaser","title":"Wasp Stream Catfish (Akysis vespa) 3cm Aquarium Glaser","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cem\u003eAkysis vespa\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wasp Stream Catfish, Orange‑Banded Hillstream Catfish, Mini Bee Catfish\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Akysidae\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAkysis vespa\u003c\/em\u003e is a tiny, beautifully patterned Asian hill‑stream catfish known for its yellow‑orange and brown “wasp‑like” banding and cryptic behavior. It’s a specialist species best suited to cool, oxygen‑rich, fast‑flowing setups rather than typical tropical community tanks. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIdentification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) standard length (one of the smallest \u003cem\u003eAkysis\u003c\/em\u003e species) \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.planetcatfish.com\/common\/species.php?species_id=1199\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePattern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold yellow\/orange bands on a brown body (wasp‑like camouflage) \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tuberculate (rough‑textured) skin; no swim bladder (typical of \u003cem\u003eAkysis\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpines:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pectoral spines can inflict a painful sting if handled improperly \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLook‑alikes:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eA. longifilis\u003c\/em\u003e (longer nasal barbels) and \u003cem\u003eA. prashadi\u003c\/em\u003e (brown rather than yellow abdomen). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Range \u0026amp; Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEndemic to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southern Myanmar (Burma)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ataran (Salween\/Thanlwin system)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHabitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clear, fast‑flowing streams with gravelly substrates and high oxygen levels \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey spend daylight hours concealed under stones or within the substrate, emerging more at dusk\/night. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters (Aquarium)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal \u003cstrong\u003e20–24 °C (68–76 °F)\u003c\/strong\u003e; tolerated a bit warmer short‑term \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to moderately hard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow \u0026amp; oxygen:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eModerate to strong current; high dissolved oxygen is essential\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Setup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~40–60 cm footprint (10–20 gal); longer is better for current runs \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine sand with rounded gravel\/river stones (allows burrowing) \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDécor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smooth rocks, slate, driftwood to break flow; few plants that tolerate current\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Subdued; provide shaded refuges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eImmaculate\u003c\/strong\u003e—this species is sensitive to waste buildup \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary foods:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small live or frozen items—bloodworms, daphnia, brine shrimp, whiteworms \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDry foods:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some accept finely sized sinking pellets\/crumbs once settled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding tips:\u003c\/strong\u003e Target feed at dusk; shy feeders can be outcompeted in community tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful but very shy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest with:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asian hill‑stream species (small danios, peaceful loaches) that enjoy cooler, fast‑flowing water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm‑water fish, boisterous feeders, or species needing still water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSocial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Can be kept singly or in small groups if ample hiding places are provided\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Has been bred in aquaria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrigger:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large water changes causing abrupt condition shifts (cooler, fresher water) \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEggs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Laid on hard substrates; greenish eggs reported\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDifficulty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate; specialized conditions required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Keep \u003cem\u003eAkysis vespa\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStriking, “micro‑predator” aesthetics in a nano hill‑stream setup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent candidate for \u003cstrong\u003eAsian river biotope\u003c\/strong\u003e aquaria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFascinating behavior and camouflage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaution:\u003c\/strong\u003e Handle carefully—pectoral spines can sting. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aquarium Glaser","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53334460891454,"sku":"62213381091454","price":32.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/5104\/3390\/files\/placeholder_420c09a4-12f6-4dea-9ed8-e8db60f530cc.png?v=1776717274","url":"https:\/\/yourlocalfishstore.com\/products\/wasp-stream-catfish-akysis-vespa-3cm-aquarium-glaser","provider":"Your Local Fish Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}