Bumblebee Catfish 4-5′

Bumblebee Catfish is a very vibrantly colored fish and exceptionally entertaining to watch when it comes out from it’s concealing opening to search for food.

The bumblebee catfish is normally nocturnal and only emerges at night. However, if it becomes aware that food is present during the day, it will come out during the middle of the day to feed and bury its head in the substrate in order to obtain the few pieces of food that are scattered throughout the tank.

The South American region is home to the bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi). As a matter of fact, one of its generally expected names is really the South American bumblebee catfish. It is most common in Columbia and Venezuela, but it has been known to spread to Guyana, Ecuador, and the northern part of Brazil.

I. Size

• Average Adult Size: 6 inches (15 cm)
• Maximum Adult Size: 11.8 inches (30 cm)
• Swimming Level: Bottom

II. You would love the fish because…

of its distinctive appearance, its name says it all.

The bumblebee catfish’s body has a yellow and black coloration. There are a few thick, asymmetrical sections where these colors are scattered. The rest of their bodies alternate in color from their heads, which are almost always black.

Bumblebee catfish’s dorsal fin is extremely spiny and occupies very little space on their backs. A black band that runs from front to back down the middle of this fin is common.

Their caudal fin has a similar band (of varying thickness) and is slightly forked. Most of the time, the space at the base of the caudal fin is black.

The bumblebee catfish has large ventral splayed fins that make it easy for them to move around in the substrate. As a bottom dweller, this is an inconceivably significant element.

The body of this fish fits with the customary catfish construct. The bodies of bumblebee catfish are long and cylindrical, and they taper a little before the caudal fin.

From their long, flat head, they have prominent barbels. They also have a very wide mouth, like many freshwater catfish, which helps them scavenge well.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

• Recommended: 5 and more
• Overall hostility: Peaceful
• Hostility towards own species: Peaceful
• Hostility towards other Species: Peaceful

IV. Species compatibility

• Rainbow sharks.
• Cory catfish.
• Bristlenose plecos.
• Dwarf gourami.
• Kuhli loaches.
• Various barbs.
• Platies.

V. How to feed this species?

Food like larvae, bloodworms, earthworms, and daphnia are all great sources of protein that will also provide your bumblebee catfish with some enrichment.

Recommended food

• WA Bottom Dwellers Feed Sinking Pellets
• Hikari USA Inc Tropical Sinking Algae Wafers

Word for the wise

Live Plants

Driftwood

Rocks

Live, frozen food

Aquarium Starter Kit

Filter

Heater

Thermometer