Asian Bumblebee Catfish

The Asian bumblebee catfish is a nocturnal species from the family Bagridae. The irregular cream and yellow bands on its dark brown-black body give it the look of a bee. It is also known by its former name, Leiocassis siamensis.

It is often confused with the small South American bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi); but this species reaches 15 cm as an adult, is more territorial and can swallow larger prey. Checking the scientific name when buying is important. Although it is rarely seen during the day, when the lights dim it leaves its cave and starts roaming the aquarium.

It lives in the rivers and streams of Southeast Asia, among sunken trees, roots and rocks. It spends the day hiding in crevices and at night hunts small fish and invertebrates on the bottom. These waters are generally clear, well oxygenated and gently flowing.

• Volume: at least 150 liters and 100 cm of length for a single adult.
• Decor: A cave or pipe it can fully enter; the fish claims this spot as its territory.
• Substrate: Fine sand or rounded gravel.
• Lighting: A dim setting; floating plants make it easier for it to come out during the day as well.
• Water: 23–27°C, pH 6.5–7.5; clean and well oxygenated.

Carnivorous. Give frozen bloodworms, mysis, pieces of shrimp, worms and sinking carnivore granules. Shift feeding to the evening hours; it usually does not come out for food during the day. Feeding every other day is enough for adults.

It hides during the day and defends its territory at night. It is territorial toward its own kind and other bottom-dwelling fish; it chases fish that approach its hiding place. At night it hunts small fish and shrimp that fit into its mouth.

Good companions: Medium to large, active fish: large barbs, rainbowfish, large tetras, gouramis; species that do not go down to the bottom much.

Avoid: Small schooling fish, dwarf shrimp, other nocturnal bottom-dwellers that share the same area.

Keeping it as a single individual is recommended. More than one can be tried in very large aquariums with many caves, but fights are common. In a community aquarium, a single individual becomes a well-balanced bottom resident when there are enough hiding places.

There are almost no reliable records of it being bred in the aquarium. The fish sold are mostly collected from the wild.

• Hardy; poor water and sharp substrate lead to barbel injuries.
• Its scaleless skin is sensitive to medications containing copper.
• Its pectoral spines get caught in nets; catch it with a container.
• New arrivals: It may not take food in the first days; frozen bloodworms are effective at stimulating its appetite.

The sexes cannot be reliably told apart from the outside; mature females may look plumper.