These small fish are found in fast-flowing hillstreams throughout South and mainland Southeast Asia.

[14] B. batasio also originates from northern India where it shares its habitat with Mystus vittatus.

[5] B. travancoria is distributed in the Chittar, Kallada and Pamba Rivers in southern Kerala and is considered a rare species.

[5] B. tengana, B. pakistanicus and B. spilurus differ from other Batasio species in that their adipose fin is much shorter.

[15] Gravid female B. tengana (South East Asian form) are easy to identify because the pink eggs can be seen through their semi-transparent belly when they swim near light.

[17] B. fluviatilis hide among stones or submerged vegetation during the day and come out at night to feed.

[15] B. tengana, though uncommon, is the most commonly encountered species of Batasio in the aquarium hobby.

The fish spawned in soft neutral water, but raising the fry, of which there were over 200, proved difficult.

[15] The temperature for the Indian species should remain between 20–22 °C (68–72 °F); the Southeast Asian Batasio will tolerate slightly warmer waters.