South American Bumblebee Catfish tank mates
Microglanis iheringi
4 rated pairings from the South American Bumblebee Catfish care guide. Compatibility here means water, temperament, tank zone and adult size all line up — the note on each card says why. South American Bumblebee Catfish needs at least 20 gallons on its own; every companion adds to that.
Excellent matches
2 · Same water, complementary zones, no conflict.
Cardinal Tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
15 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy the middle and upper water column, posing no competition or threat.
Harlequin Rasbora
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
10 gal min · 2" adult · Peaceful
Active, peaceful mid-water schooling fish that share similar water parameters and do not compete with this bottom-dwelling catfish.
Good matches
2 · Compatible with normal care — watch space and numbers.Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
15 gal min · 3.5" adult · Semi-aggressive
Peaceful surface-to-middle dweller that coexists well; ensure the tank has sufficient space and hiding spots.
Bolivian Ram
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
20 gal min · 3.5" adult · Peaceful
Peaceful South American cichlid of compatible size and water parameter requirements; monitor for minor territorial behavior near the substrate.
Planning this tank?
Run the whole stock list through the calculator — it checks bioload and schooling numbers, not just pairings.