Bumble Bee Catfish
Bumblebee catfish are carnivores who eat the larvae and insects they run into while they are out scavenging.
Bumble bee catfish. South american bumblebee catfish. Though they won t ever be buzzing around the open space your aquarium you will be able to catch them zipping from rock to rock in the substrate. Of the three bumblebee species typically seen in the us aquatic trade the smallest is the south american bumblebee catfish sabc.
Venezuela and columbia south america. The bumblebee catfish is known for its beautiful pattern of black and yellow stripes. They are especially suited to tanks with other south american fish or species that enjoy lots of water movement.
The bumblebee catfish makes an excellent addition to any aquarium. The typical bumblebee catfish size is 3 inches in length. Both types of bumblebee catfish bear the stripy light brown and yellow stripes which gives the fish its bumblebee likeness hence its name.
Its wide mouth also allows him to eat smaller fish species. 21 25 c 70 77 f water hardness. A common disease to be aware of is ich.
Bumblebee catfish are not prone to any specific illnesses but they can get ill like all fish. They have slender but elongated bodies. This has made it a popular choice for fish owners that have an aquarium full of tropical fish.
They are frequently captured as juveniles from the swift rivers and streams along the turmero river basin in venezuela although their range also extends into columbia and northern brazil. It can run into them during the night and devour them without hesitation. Distinguishing between males and females is very difficult but it is said that generally females can be slightly rounder.
This is a parasite called ichthyophthirius multifiliis that presents as white spots across a fish s body. Bumblebee catfish have long cylindrical bodies that taper down a bit before the caudal fin. Like many freshwater catfish they also have a very wide mouth which helps them scavenge effectively.
They have prominent barbels that protrude from a long flat head. Sometimes one of these tropical fish will have a light brown body instead of black.