What is a Bumblebee Catfish?
The Bumblebee catfish is known for its beautiful pattern of black and yellow stripes. Sometimes, one of these tropical fish will have a light brown body instead of black. This has made it a popular choice for fish owners that have an aquarium full of tropical fish.
Origin
The bumblebee catfish comes from the warm waters of South America. It is plentiful in the areas of Venezuela and Peru where the water is clean, and the current is strong. Most of these catfish prefer water with a nice current to the still waters of lakes and slow rivers.
Size
The small size of these fish makes them extremely appealing for fish owners. As adults, they will only be approximately five centimeters in length, making them ideal for both small and large aquariums.
Life Span
The bumblebee catfish can live for five years if it is properly taken care of. Fish owners that make sure their pet is both fed and happy will enjoy watching this fish elegantly swim for years to come.
Diet
These fish have a wide mouth that allows them to have a diverse diet. Bumblebee catfish can eat fish that look to large for them to consume because of how big their mouth is, fish pellets, freeze-dried foods, and frozen fish food. Fish owners are encouraged to feed these fish a variety of foods to ensure that they have a healthy diet.
Preferred Environment
When these fish are in captivity, they are happiest if they have plenty of places to hide along the bottom of the tank. Aquarium owners should invest in plenty of plants, caves and aquarium decorations so that their bumblebee catfish feel comfortable. They also prefer soft water instead of hard water.
These catfish prefer water with a strong current, so it is often recommended that owners invest in a pump that will keep the water moving. Some pet stores sell an aquarium filter that will provide a small current to keep these fish comfortable in captivity.
Nocturnal
Fish from this family are known for being nocturnal. They will hide during the day, but they can be seen at night when they come out from hiding to feed. If there is food present, bumblebee catfish might come out during the day, but it is less likely.
Tankmates
These fish are not aggressive towards other fish and make exceptional tank mates. The only problem is that they will eat fish that are small enough to fit in their mouths. Bumblebee catfish should only be in aquariums with fish that are too big for them to eat to ensure that all the fish are safe.
This article is based on the African bumblebee catfish. It is important to note that there are also the Asian and jelly varieties, but these follow the same diet, have the same environmental preferences and tankmate specifications. Often, these fish are not caught in the wild for food making them less appealing for fishermen. Their appeal for aquarists more than makes up for that.
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