Banjo catfish
Bunocephalus coracoideus · Aspredinidae
Also known as Banjo cat
Intermediate
A flat, motionless sand-burier that looks like debris; harmless and long-lived.
In short: A banjo catfish needs at least 75 L (20 US gal), water at 21–28 °C (70–82 °F) and pH 6–7.8. It is peaceful, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 75 L (20 US gal)
- Temperature
- 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
- pH
- 6–7.8
- Adult size
- 12 cm (4.7 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 75 L (20 US gal)
- Temperature
- 21–28 °C (70–82 °F)
- pH
- 6–7.8
- Hardness
- 2–18 dGH
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
- Diet
- Carnivore — sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm at night.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Amazon basin
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Silty leaf-covered stream beds
- Natural conditions
- Soft sand it can bury in; dim light.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- TetrasCorydorasGouramis
- Avoid
- Coarse gravelAggressive bottom feeders
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- Females are broader.
- Notes
- Rarely spawned; scatters eggs in a depression.
- Common ailments
- Starvation when outcompetedIch
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