Banjo Catfish

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Scientific Name

Bunocephalus coracoideus

Min. Tank Size

40 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

70-79°F

pH

6.5-7.5/5-20°dGH

Size

5"

Diet

Carnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Well suited to the community tank; can be kept with Tetras, Dwarf Cichlids, Corydoras and Loaches.

Banjo Catfish

The native name of this species is “Guitarrita” which translates as “little guitar.” The Banjo Catfish earned this name because, when viewed from above, its shape resembles that of a guitar. The bodies of these catfish are relatively flat and dark in coloration. Banjo Catfish are native to the Amazon River Basin, particularly Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. In their natural habitat, these fish can typically be found in streams, ponds and lakes filled with plant debris and submerged branches.

Tank Set-Up

These fish prefer dimly lit, planted tanks that provide plenty of cover. The ideal substrate for a Banjo Catfish tank is sand which can be supplemented with leaf litter and bogwood. Banjo Catfish are a secretive species and largely inactive, tending to emerge from hiding only at night. These fish make excellent additions to the community tank and are best kept in a South American biotope tank. Banjo Catfish get along well with other peaceful community species but can also be kept alone with no problem.

Feeding

Banjo Catfish are not fussy eaters but because they are very sedentary, it can be difficult to encourage them to eat. Offering your catfish live and frozen foods such as bloodworms and earthworms may encourage a healthy appetite, especially if you offer the food just before turning out the lights. Supplement this diet with high-quality sinking wafers or pellets.

Breeding

Breeding Banjo Catfish is possible but rarely achieved in the home aquarium. In order to encourage spawning, these fish are best bred in groups with at least six mature specimens. If these fish do spawn, it will likely be at night. Because this species is likely to eat its own eggs, the adults should be removed from the tank following spawning.