Bumblebee catfish are an ideal bottom feeder for freshwater tanks. They’re good for beginners because they’re hardy, low maintenance, and add a pop of color to the aquarium.
What Is The Bumblebee Catfish?
Bumblebee catfish are popular because of their yellow and black asymmetrical stripes. Most have a solid black head. The dorsal fin is spiny with a black band that runs down the middle.
According to Alexander Urbano-Bonilla et. al., bumblebee catfish have a, “bar-shaped blotch on caudal-fin base; lateral line reaching a vertical through adipose-fin origin.”
The bumblebee has a long, cylinder-shaped body that is slimmer near the caudal fin. Fragile barbels protrude from the head.
Their ventral fins are large and spread out to their sides to aid in swimming. They are bottom feeders, so their ventral fins help to push them along the substrate. Since they scavenge for food within the substrate, they have wide mouths to suck up food.
A full grown bumblebee catfish will grow to about 3 inches in length. They may stay smaller than that if they’re not given the right care, but it’s rare for them to grow bigger.
- Common Names: South American Bumblebee Catfish
- Scientific Name: Microglanis iheringi
- Origin: South American countries like Columbia, Venezuela, Guyana, Ecuador, & northern Brazil
- Length: 3 inches
- Aquarium Size: 20-gallon
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Ease of Care: Easy
Habitat
Bumblebee cats are native to South America, primarily Columbia and Venezuela. They were not discovered until the early 1900s.
In the wild, bumblebee catfish inhabit rivers and streams with strong currents. They are bottom feeders, so they’ll bury into the rock-covered substrate.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, bumblebee catfish populations are ‘stable’ and of ‘least concern’. This means that, “it has been evaluated against the Red List criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, or Near Threatened”.
Behavior & Temperament
Bumblebee catfish make good beginner fish because they are shy and peaceful.
They are nocturnal fish who are most active at night, so don’t be alarmed if they don’t move around much during the day.
How Do You Care For A Bumblebee Catfish?
Bumblebee catfish are hardy and low-maintenance, so they’re good for beginner aquarists. They are not overly particular about their water parameters, and they’re not prone to disease.
With the right care, they will live for about 4-5 years.
They are tropical fish, so keep the water temperature between 70°F and 77°F. The pH should be between 6.5-7.5, and the water hardness should be between 8-12 dGH.
Tank Size & Decorations
Despite their small size, we recommend providing them with at least 20 gallons of water. You should add an extra 10 gallons for each additional catfish.
So, if you want a community tank, you should invest in at least 50 gallons.
Bumblebees are shy, burrowing catfish who like to hide in nooks and crannies. Provide them with enough rocks, caves, and driftwood to make them feel safe.
Be careful not to choose a coarse substrate that will damage their tender bellies. One option is to choose a softer substrate, like sand, and layer it with rocks that the catfish can explore.
Live plants help with the health of the water and give your fish something to sift through. Soft silk plants are also a good option if you don’t want to deal with the care of live plants.
Water Flow
Having the right amount of flow in the tank is essential to their health. They are native to rivers and streams, so they like fast-moving water. If there is not enough flow, they will become stressed.
Adequate water flow also adds oxygen concentration to the water. Without enough water flow, bumblebee catfish may have trouble breathing.
Diet
They are omnivores who eat larvae, insects, and plant matter in the wild. As bottom feeders, they sift through the substrate for food.
In captivity, their staple diet should be sinking bottom feeder pellets. A few days a week, you should supplement them with live or frozen food like bloodworms or daphnia.
Bumblebee Catfish Tank Mates
Bumblebee catfish are peaceful, so they are a good option for most freshwater tanks.
If you want your bumblebee catfish to swim around more, avoid active fish and nocturnal fish. Fish with lots of energy will scare your catfish further into hiding. Other nocturnal fish will discourage your catfish from coming out at night.
Your best option is to choose tankmates who are calm and most active during the day.
Fish that get along well with bumblebee catfish include:
- Barbs
- Bristlenose plecos
- Cory catfish
- Dwarf or opaline gouramis
- Kuhli loaches
- Platies
- Rasboras
- Rainbow sharks
- Tetras — avoid neon and ember tetras as they are small and may be eaten
How Does the Bumblebee Catfish Compare To Other Catfish?
Are you not sure if a bumblebee catfish is right for your aquarium? See how they compare to other common freshwater species.
| Bumblebee Catfish | Cory Catfish | Asian Stone Catfish | Glass Catfish | Pictus Catfish | Upside Down Catfish | |
| Temperament | Shy & Peaceful | Shy & Peaceful | Shy & Peaceful | Peaceful | Semi-Aggressive | Shy & Peaceful |
| Preferred Habitat | Rocky Substrate | Rocks & Live Plants | Sandy Substrate | Mid-Water Dwellers | Rocks & Live Plants | Rocks & Live Plants |
| Lifespan | 4-5 Years | 5+ Years | 5 Years | 8 Years | 8-10 Years | 5 Years |
| Size | 3 Inches | 1-2.5 Inches | 1.3 Inches | 4-6 Inches | 5 Inches | 3-4 Inches |
Conclusion
Bumblebee catfish are a great bottom dweller for community freshwater tanks. They’re hardy and peaceful with vibrant colors. Just be sure to provide them with lots of hiding spots.
FAQs
Keep in mind that they are omnivores, so they will eat small fish if they can fit in their mouth. To avoid this, choose tankmates who are about the same size as your catfish.
Many catfish species are venomous, but the bumblebee catfish is not one of them.
Bumblebee catfish are not a schooling species, so they can be kept alone. In smaller spaces, they can become territorial. So, keeping a solo bumblebee catfish is often advisable. If you want to keep a small group of bumblebee catfish, be sure to provide them with plenty of space.
Some aquarists have reported success with peaceful cichlids, but it’s not recommended. Most cichlids are too aggressive and active. They will cause your bumblebee catfish stress.
Cichlids also need higher pH levels that are not suitable for bumblebee catfish.
Bumblebee catfish are not known for their algae-eating abilities. Still, they are scavengers and will eat it when they come across it.
