Asian Bumblebee Catfish Care 101 – Size, Lifespan, Food and Tank Mates
Bumblebee Catfish is an attractive fish that you can introduce to your freshwater aquarium. The fish comes with black and yellow steps that make it very attractive.
You will feel very appealing it in your aquarium. The fish is laid back, making it a great community fish you can have if there are other fish species already in the tank. These Catfish species are easy to care for.
It feeds on a wide range of food. Keeping it with other fish is easy because the conditions required for it to thrive are similar to most freshwater fish species.
In this Bumblebee Catfish Care guide, we will be discussing all the tips and information that you need to take care of these Catfish Species. We encourage you to read through to make sure you do not miss any important tips.
| Quick Facts: | |
|---|---|
| Common Names : | Asian Bumblebee Catfish |
| Origin : | Lower Mekong River in Cambodia, Chao Phraya River in Thailand |
| Family : | Pseudopimelodidae |
| Scientific Name : | Pseudomystus siamensis |
| Care Level : | Easy |
| Temperament : | Peaceful |
| Social : | Community friendly |
| Diet : | Omnivores |
| Size (average) : | Up to 6 inches |
| Lifespan : | Up to 5 years |
| Breeding : | Egg layer |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 20 gallons |
| Tank Environment : | Freshwater, Sand substrate, Tall aquarium plants, rocks, caves, and driftwood. Medium lighting |
| Temperature : | 68 - 78 °F (20 – 26 °C) |
| Water Hardness : | 4 – 25 dGH |
| Water pH Level : | 6.0 - 8.0 |
Bumblebee Catfish Overview
Bumblebee Catfish is an omnivorous fish that originate from Southeast Asia. The fish prefers river sand streams with strong currents and obstacles to hide. They tend to inhabit rocky rivers and will use the rock obstacles to hide and catch food.
They are mainly nocturnal and will rend to feed at night. If you woollike to introduce them to a tank, they will easily fit in. The fish are less aggressive and will be hardly affected by common diseases.
They require minimal care, making them ideal for first-time fish keepers.
This fish species is scientifically referred to as Microglanis iheringi. They can be traced back to southeast Asia. In their natural habitat, they tend to stay in fast-flowing rivers with a lot of obstacles. The fish are masters of hiding.
They will hide under obstacles and come out at night to hunt a small animal in the waters. If you would like to introduce them to a tank, ensure the tank has obstacles to hide. They are normally shy fish you will easily introduce to a tank.
Bumblebee Catfish make a great pet in your tank. They have an attractive appearance making them loved by many people.
Bumblebee Catfish Size
A fully-grown Bumblebee Catfish will be about 6 inches long. It is the right fish to introduce in a medium to a large aquarium. They are not perfect for other tank fish that are considered too rare. They can feed on other small fish in your aquarium.
Ensure you consider it if you decide to introduce them to your tank. Generally, the fish species is peaceful and will stay at the bottom of the tank, where it will hunt for food.
The fish is territorial, but it is generally calm to stay at the bottom of the tank.
Bumblebee Catfish Lifespan
Generally, a Bumblebee Catfish will live for up to 5 years. Several factors can affect the lifespan of the fish. For example, if you provide the right environment where it will stay, it can live up to the maximum age limit.
If you offer your Catfish the right food and environment to stay in, you will be assured of long life. It can stay for up to five years, making it a great addition you can introduce to any tank.
Bumblebee Catfish Appearance & Colors
The Bumblebee Catfish looks like an aquatic Bumblebee. It has thick black and yellow stripes. The stripes run vertically down its body, making it look great. The stripes run from its head to the tail, making it unique and attractive.
It is a reliable Catfish species you can introduce to any home, and it will do well. The fish has a spiny dorsal fin that appears forked.
Behavior & Temperament
The Bumblebee Catfish is known to be quiet and peaceful. You will tend to see it scavenging at night. The nocturnal fish can eat small and slender fish. If you have small and slender fish in the tank, it can feed on them.
Some of the tank mates you can quickly introduce and will do well include fish such as big fish species that will not be eaten. It will only feed small fish. You can introduce worms and other types of food that it can feed on.
You will not expect to find it too aggressive in your tank. The catfish comes with the right temperament to make it stay cool in your tank.
Bumblebee Catfish Care
The Bumblebee Catfish does not demand a lot during its care. It is an easy to care catfish that you will easily introduce to your home aquarium. For example, it will require low maintenance. The water tank specifications are manageable in most cases.
If you are an experienced aquarist, then you will realize the fish is easy to care for. It does not demand too much you cannot manage in a fish tank.
Although the fish is easy to are, there is a need to have measures in place and ensure the fish has all it requires to stay healthy.
Look at the fish and ensure it is looking healthy at all times. Regular monitoring of the tank is necessary to note any abnormality in the catfish and take necessary actions.
– Bumblebee Catfish Tank Size
The right size for a fully-grown catfish should be 20 gallons. The fish is small and will tend to spend a lot of time hiding to catch prey. For each fish you add to your tank, ensure an additional 10 gallons of water.
They are not aggressive fish that will require a lot of space. They will tend to stay in one place and wait for prey. The tank should have enough sand and the necessary ingredients to keep the fish active.
– Bumblebee Catfish Tank Setup
The Bumblebee Catfish prefers an environment with many rocks where it can hide. If you intend to introduce it to a tank, ensure the tank has the right features to keep it comfortable.
You will be required to have features such as rocks and debris that mimic its natural habitat. Some of the items you need to have in its tank include features such as driftwood and rocks.
– Water Conditions and Parameters
The fish can stay indifferent to water conditions, but for effective growth and the best results, consider keeping it in water that has a temperature Between 68°F and 77°F. The pH levels should be between 6.0 to 8.0.
It is a hardy fish you can quickly introduce to your fish tank, and it will tend t6o do well. The appropriate water hardness should be Soft water between 4 to 25 dGH.
– Suitable Aquarium Plants
The fish will require certain types of plants in its aquarium. The right plants to have so that the fish can do well include the Amazon Sword and Java Fern. It is necessary to introduce the plant so that the fish can have enough space to hide.
If you do not introduce enough spaces where the fish will hide, it will tend to stay in a constant state of stress that will affect its life. Always ensure you go for a fish that is easy to care such as the Bumblebee Catfish, and ensure all it requires to stay comfortable.
People who keep the fish tend to enjoy great-looking creatures in their tanks. The shy fish requires a place to hide, but it will come out to eat at night.
– Common Diseases and Prevention
These Catfish species are hardy. It will rarely get sick, but you should always take good care of it. Some of the common illnesses that can affect the fish you need to be careful of include parasitic, fungal, and bacterial infections.
Ensure the fish tank is clean to avoid cases where it can be affected by illnesses. There are common illnesses that will affect other types of fish if proper care is not taken.
Always ensure you take good care of the fish, and it will assure you enjoy great success as you take care of it.
Many aquarists prefer the fish because it will hardly feel sick. It is the right fish you need to keep, and it will make you enjoy spending time admiring it at the aquarium.
Bumblebee Catfish Feeding and Food
Bumblebee Catfish are omnivorous and tend to spend most of their time scavenging the substrate. They will look for anything edible to snack on. They can eat food such as plant matter, larvae, insects, among other items you can introduce to their tank.
To ensure the fish has enough food to eat at all times, it is necessary to ensure you introduce the right food. It will tend to feed on different types of food. If you can ensure enough plant matter, it will scavenge insects that will settle on it.
Ensure your tank is fully equipped, and the fish will have enough places to hide and scavenge for food. It is an easy to keep fish that has been proven to be very effective in making your tank stay attractive.
When the fish is in captivity, you should give it different types of food so that it can get a balanced diet.
Difference Between Male Bumblebee Catfish and Female Bumblebee Catfish
It will be hard to differentiate between the female and male Bumblebee Catfish. The only big difference you will notice is when the female is laying eggs. A female Bumblebee Catfish will tend to become plumper when it is laying eggs.
Ensure you check out the condition of the fish before you can know whether it is female or male. There are high chances you will confuse between the two of them because they resemble each other.
Wait for the egg-bearing period, and you will know the female from its size.
Origin and Distribution
The Bumblebee Catfish is believed to have originated from the lower Mekong river. The river runs through Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The fish is also found in other places, such as the Chao Phraya river in Thailand.
Its native origin is the lower Mekong, but it has been distributed to other parts, such as South America and tanks across the world. Many people like keeping the fish in captivity because it is easy to keep and attractive.
You will always find it a great fish to introduce to your tank. It can be the perfect tank mate with other big fish species.
Bumblebee Catfish Tank Mates
It is good to choose suitable tank mates for Bumblebee Catfish. The catfish is known to feed on slender fish, ensuring the fish you introduce are not small enough to form its food.
Bumblebee Catfish tank mates should include:
- Rainbow Sharks
- Cory Catfish
- Bristlenose Pleco
- Dwarf Gourami
- Opaline Gourami
- Pearl Gourami
- Paradise Gourami
- Honey Gourami
- Kuhli Loach
- Tiger Barb
- Rosy Barb
- Odessa Barb
- Golden Wonder Killifish
- Clown Killifish
It will be very easy to introduce the different types of fish to your tank and make the fish enjoy great company as it grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
We believe you are confident by reading this care guide. We have a few more points discussed below for you.
Are Bumblebee Catfish Aggressive?
The fish is not aggressive; it is a laid-back fish you can ever introduce to your aquarium. The shy fish will tend to hide during day time and come out to feed at night.
It will be hard to notice it during the daytime because it will hide in its hiding places until it is dark.
It is recommended to introduce enough plant matter and rocks debris so that the fish will get the perfect place where it will hide during day time.
Experts recommend you introduce an environment that will look like its natural habitat to keep it comfortable at night.
Will Bumblebee Catfish Eat Shrimp?
The fish can eat the small invertebrates. They are not the perfect feed for your fish; hence, keeping them with your fish is not recommended. If you can keep the small fish with your fish, it will tend to eat them and affect them.
There are cases where the fish has eaten the small invertebrates. It is not a good practice because it can affect the health of your catfish. Ensure you give the catfish the proper diet, and it will stay healthy and enjoy the good life.
Is Bumblebee Catfish A Community Fish?
If you would like the catfish to stay in a community of other fish, there is no need to worry. The catfish has the right temperament and will easily stay with other types of fish.
The catfish has the right temperament and will not be affected by the presence of other fish.
It can be a great community fish to have in a pond with several other fish types. To increase the chances of making your catfish enjoy great company, ensure the fish you introduce does not form part of the food of the catfish.
They tend to have similar requirements with other types of fish. It will be easy to find the fish kept in fish ponds where there are other types of fish because they tend to share a lot in common; you will always find it easy to keep the catfish in a common bond.
How Much A Bumblebee Catfish Cost?
A Bumblebee Catfish will cost between $5 to $25 in the US market depending on the size of the fish.
Final Thoughts
Keeping Bumblebee Catfish can be a rewarding experience. The fish has the right temperament and will require water conditions easily met. Those looking forward to starting fish tanks in their homes can easily get started with the fish.
It has a few requirements, such as having rock debris at the bottom of the tank. The nocturnal tendency of the fish ensures it will remain calm during the daytime and get out to feed at night.
It can feed on plant matter and insects, making it easy to keep. You will find it a great way to keep your aquarium balanced because it can feed on different matters.
