This catfish is found in most of the tropical waters of India and a choiced food fish in north-eastern states of India. Grows to a length of 21 cm. Body  elongated with large dorsal fin having both rays and spines and a separate large adipose fin. There are four pairs of large barbels, with maxillary reaching beyond pelvic fins. The body is covered with long alternate horizontal bands of gray-silvery to shining golden with several lovely pale blue or dark brown to deep black that is the main cause of keeping this fish in aquarium. There is a narrow dusky shoulder spot. It is a good aquarium fish and can live even without artificial aeration. The aquarium may be provided with large drift wood or boulders for providing hide out to this nocturnal fish. It can tolerate temperature of  20-28 °C, pH 6.0-7.5 and hardness 4-25 dGH. Omnivorous and accepts both live and formulated food. The fish has been bred in captivity through induced breeding.