The Striped Dwarf Catfish is a small freshwater catfish native to Sri Lanka and other parts of South Asia. In Sri Lanka, it is found in rivers, streams, reservoirs, ponds, marshes, and slow-moving freshwater habitats with aquatic vegetation and soft muddy or sandy bottoms. It prefers areas with shelter such as submerged plants, roots, and leaf litter where it can hide during the day. This active but shy catfish is mainly nocturnal, becoming more active at dusk and night while searching for food using its sensitive barbels. Its diet consists of small fish, aquatic insects, insect larvae, worms, crustaceans, and other tiny aquatic organisms. The Striped Dwarf Catfish is recognized by its slender body and distinctive dark stripes running along its sides. It is an important native species in Sri Lanka’s freshwater ecosystems, contributing to the balance of aquatic food chains as both a predator and prey species.