Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Their temperament is extremely reclusive and peaceful, provided their tank mates are not small enough to be considered prey. They spend daylight hours wedged tightly into crevices, only emerging under the cover of darkness to forage. Aquarists may go weeks without seeing them, making them a true 'hide-and-seek' fish.

Diet

Carnivore

In the wild, they are opportunistic carnivores that scavenge for insects, larvae, and smaller fish. In the aquarium, they will readily accept sinking carnivore pellets, wafers, and meaty frozen foods like bloodworms. Ensure that food reaches the bottom, as they will rarely venture out into the open water column to feed.

Sex ratio

Group

Sexing these catfish is difficult, with adult females generally appearing slightly plumper when viewed from above. The sex ratio is not a crucial factor as they are completely peaceful toward their own kind. They can be kept solitarily or in small groups provided there are enough hiding places for everyone.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They should be fed once a day, ideally just before or shortly after the aquarium lights are turned off. Feeding them at night caters to their natural nocturnal instincts and ensures they are not outcompeted by diurnal tank mates. Being opportunistic scavengers, they have a tendency to overeat if food is constantly available.

Bioload

The Bumblebee Catfish has a surprisingly small bioload given its somewhat chunky appearance. Because they spend the vast majority of their time hiding and are largely inactive during the day, their metabolic output is low. Standard filtration and a regular schedule of water changes will easily maintain a healthy environment for them.

Flow

Stagnant

They prefer a moderate water flow that provides good oxygenation without being overly turbulent. They originate from fast-flowing rivers in South America and appreciate highly oxygenated water. Providing plenty of rocky crevices or driftwood caves where they can rest out of the direct current is essential.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Breeding the Bumblebee Catfish in a home aquarium is exceedingly rare and largely undocumented. They are believed to be egg layers, but specific triggers for spawning and rearing fry are not well established in the hobby. Success would likely require perfectly simulating the rainy season of their natural habitat.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are generally peaceful towards fish that are too large to fit into their surprisingly wide mouths. However, they are highly predatory nocturnal ambush hunters and will readily consume small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf shrimp. They are best kept with medium to large robust community fish like larger characins or peaceful cichlids.

Tank level

Bottom

They are strictly bottom dwellers that will almost never be seen in the upper levels of the aquarium. They are highly secretive and require a multitude of caves, PVC pipes, or dense driftwood tangles to feel secure. If sufficient hiding spots are not provided, they will suffer from severe chronic stress.