Bumblebee Catfish

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Scientific Name

Microglanis iheringi

Min. Tank Size

30 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

75-82°F

pH

7.5-9.0/10-25°dGH

Size

4"

Diet

Carnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Well suited to the community tank; can be kept with Cyprinids, Characins, Livebearers, Dwarf Cichlids, Loaches and other Catfish.

Bumblebee Catfish

Often confused with the Asian Bumblebee Catfish which uses the scientific name Pseudomystus siamensis, this species is simply called the Bumblebee Catfish. These fish belong to a family of small to medium-sized Catfishes. Bumblebee Catfish are native to South American where they can be found in the swiftly flowing rivers of Venezuela. To distinguish it from the Asian Bumblebee Catfish, this species is sometimes referred to as the South American Bumblebee Catfish. Bumblebee Catfish are named for the yellow and black banding on their bodies. Like all Catfish, this species has skin rather than scales and the head is typically as wide as it is long.

Tank Set-Up

Due to their diminutive size and peaceful nature, these fish are well suited to the general community tank provided none of the fish are small enough to fit in the Catfish’s mouth. These fish can be fairly reclusive and thus prefer a tank decorated with plenty of rock caves, driftwood and live plants to provide cover. Bumblebee Catfish are relatively easy to care for in the home aquarium because their tank requirements are fairly similar to those of basic tap water — they prefer warm, slightly soft water with a pH close to neutral.

Feeding

These catfish are carnivorous by nature, feeding on a variety of meat-based foods in the home aquarium. Offer your Bumblebee Catfish a staple diet of high-quality sinking pellets or wafers supplemented with plenty of live and frozen foods such as mussels, prawns, bloodworms and beefheart. Feed a diet consisting of a variety of foods on a regular basis to promote the best health and coloration.

Breeding

There have been few reports of successful spawnings regarding this species in the home aquarium. Those aquarium hobbyists who have had success breeding this species increased the temperature in the tank from 72 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and performed a large water change to encourage spawning. It is also suspected that feeding a widely varied diet may help to condition this species for breeding.