Bumblebee Catfish

Microglanis iheringi

Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii

📍 South America

A small, nocturnal catfish from South America featuring bold yellow-and-black banding reminiscent of a bumblebee, reaching about 3 inches. It is peaceful with fish too large to eat, spends most of the day hiding in caves or under decor, and benefits from a well-decorated tank with low to moderate lighting.

Size2.5"

Min Tank20g

peaceful

Zonebottom

Care Guide

Diet

Bumblebee catfish are carnivorous bottom feeders that prefer sinking pellets, frozen bloodworms, and small live foods like brine shrimp or daphnia. Feed small amounts 2-3 times weekly in the evening when they become active, as they are nocturnal. Supplement occasionally with quality sinking catfish pellets to ensure balanced nutrition.

Behavior

These nocturnal catfish are peaceful and spend most daylight hours hiding in caves, under driftwood, or within dense plants. They become more active at dusk and night, foraging along the substrate for food. They are solitary or can be kept in small groups but do not require schooling; they are best observed during low-light periods.

Breeding

Breeding Bumblebee catfish in captivity is rare and difficult, with few documented successful spawns in the hobby. They require very specific conditions including caves for spawning, stable water parameters, and likely seasonal temperature fluctuations to trigger breeding behavior. Most specimens in the aquarium trade are wild-caught, making captive breeding information limited.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Similar size and peaceful temperament; both are bottom dwellers that occupy different ecological niches

excellent

Neon Tetra

Small, peaceful mid-water swimmers that won't compete with bottom-dwelling catfish

excellent

Rummy Nose Tetra

Peaceful schooling fish that occupy upper water column and share similar water parameter preferences

excellent

Amano Shrimp

Peaceful invertebrates that help with algae control and occupy different feeding niches

good

Common Diseases

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)

Symptoms

White spots on body and fins, scratching against decor, lethargy, loss of appetite

Treatment

Gradually raise temperature to 28-29°C over 48 hours, maintain for 7-10 days; use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons) or ich-specific medication; perform 25% water changes every 2-3 days

Fin Rot

Symptoms

Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy

Treatment

Improve water quality with frequent partial water changes; maintain optimal temperature and pH; use antibacterial medication if severe; remove any sharp decor causing injury

Bacterial Infection

Symptoms

Open sores, cloudy eyes, torn fins, loss of appetite, unusual behavior

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately; treat with broad-spectrum antibiotic medication; isolate if possible; maintain pristine water conditions and increase aeration

Parasitic Infection

Symptoms

Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, clamped fins, lethargy

Treatment

Use anti-parasitic medication appropriate for catfish; perform frequent water changes; quarantine if possible; avoid overfeeding and maintain excellent water quality