Species profile
Freshwater Flounder
Brachirus panoides
Peaceful
Hard care
250 L minimum aquarium
12–20 cm adult size
Bottom
Can be kept singly
About this species
General notes for hobby use.
Do not state that salt is universally mandatory: B. panoides is euryhaline and occurs in freshwater as well as brackish lower-river habitats. Provenance and water chemistry still matter.
Water parameters
Suggested general range for long-term care.
Temperature
24–28 °C
pH
7–8.2
GH
8–25 dGH
KH
5–18 dKH
Flow preference
Low
Data confidence
Verified
Behaviour
General behaviour traits used by TanksConnected compatibility checks.
Minimum group size
Can be kept singly
Tank zone
Bottom
Territory level
None
Predation risk
Small fish
Bioload factor
1.8
Specialist benthic flatfish that buries into fine substrate and feeds by ambush. Small fish and invertebrates may be taken.
Compatibility flags
Quick cautions for common tank-planning issues.
Fin nipper
No
Plant safe
Yes
Shrimp safe
No / caution
Snail safe
No / caution
Cave breeder
No
Digs substrate
Yes
Jump risk
Low
Natural history & care
Research-backed context for long-term aquarium care.
Lifespan
Not yet documented
Diet type
Carnivore
Minimum aquarium volume
250 L
Minimum footprint
120 × 50 cm
Accepted scientific name
Brachirus panoides
Alternative names
Freshwater Sole, Panoides Sole
Native range
Southeast Asia from Thailand through the Malay/Indonesian region.
Natural habitat
Lower rivers, estuaries and connected fresh-to-brackish waters over sand or mud; euryhaline rather than obligatorily marine.
Diet & feeding
Benthic invertebrates and small prey. Target-feed worms, crustaceans and other sinking meaty foods, especially after lights dim.
Breeding & sexing
Research-backed guidance for identifying sexes and reproductive behaviour.
Sexing
No reliable routine external sexing method is established.
Breeding
Reliable aquarium breeding information is lacking; captive reproduction should be treated as undocumented/specialist.