Banjo Catfish

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment8–12 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Parasites

The Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus) comes from the Amazon and Paraguay basins and reaches about 10 to 13 cm. Its flattened, warty body and thin tail give it both its name and its camouflage: at rest, half-buried in sand under leaf litter, it is genuinely difficult to find, and new owners often assume it has died or escaped. It needs 100 litres or more at 22-27C, pH 6.0 to 7.5, over a soft sand bed deep enough to bury in, with leaf litter, wood and shade. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp after lights-out, and check that it is actually getting food, since it will not compete for anything. It is completely peaceful, safe with small fish and shrimp once they are past fry size, and remarkably long-lived for its size. Its requirements are simple and its main risk is being kept over gravel, where it cannot bury and stays stressed, or being starved out by faster tankmates. It is a quiet, undemanding fish for someone who enjoys spotting it.

• How active is a Banjo Catfish?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Banjo Catfish need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Banjo Catfish need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Banjo Catfish a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Banjo Catfish live?

  8–12 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Banjo Catfish?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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