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Description: Its supraoccipital process meets the basal bones of the dorsal fin. The difference in length of the supra-occipital process differentiates it from M. canarensis. The light body stripes differentiate it from M.
dibrugarensis. Differs from M. rufescens by the fact that its fontanel is not split by an epiphyseal bar, and it has a shorter adipose fin. (Grant 2009). Colouration: Described as “Dorsal and upper part of the body dark brown, with lighter or paler whitish brown stripes: one median, from the tip of the snout to the base of the dorsal spine, and two lateral longitudinal on each side, one above and the other below the middle line, which is distinguished by being dotted black for the openings of the lateral organs.” “…nasal and maxillary barbells blackish brown, adipose fin dark brown, dorsal, anal and caudal fins are brownish with black spots on the membranes between the rays.” It has an intensely black tympanic spot/semi-ocellus, and also a spot near the caudal peduncle, followed by a thin white band. Aquarium Care: This is a fairly easy species to keep and is quite adaptable to different water parameters in the aquarium. It is also a good species for any ambitious breeder to undertake as they do not grow large and are not aggressive. Etymology: The genus name Mystus: "Mystax" meaning whiskered (hair on the upper lip) Mystus was first used by Belon in 1553 to describe all fish with whiskers. The specific name pulcher: from the Latin pulcher ='beautiful', alluding to the attractive colour pattern.

Pulcher Mystus

Macrones pulcher

Bagridae

Asia: Bhamo close to Yunnan border; small muddy streams along Kaminng Jade Mines Road, Myitkyina district, Myanmar (Burma).

12.0cm. (5ins)

23-25°C (72-77°F)

6.0-7.0.

Grant, Steven. ScotCat Article:  The striped catfishes of the genus Mystus Scopoli, 1777 (Siluriformes: Bagridae)
ScotCat Factsheet no.099 Sept. 2004.