TankBud

Borneo hornet catfish

Pseudomystus funebris

Also known as Funebris bumblebee catfish

FreshwaterFish

Borneo hornet catfish (Pseudomystus funebris)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
4.5–6.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Bagridae
Origin
Bornean blackwater peats

Overview

The Borneo hornet catfish is a small, dark bagrid for a dim blackwater tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The Borneo hornet catfish's species name, funebris, is Latin for of a funeral. The describer chose it for the fish's dark coloring and the near-black peat water it lives in. Black is the traditional color of mourning.

Caring for the Borneo hornet catfish

Give the Borneo hornet catfish a shaded tank of at least 29 gal (110 L). It wants caves, tangles of driftwood and a scatter of dried leaf litter to hide in by day. Keep the tank dim, and use botanicals and gentle filtration to recreate still, stained water.

Keep the water soft and acidic, at a pH of 4.5 to 6.5 and 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C). It is a secretive, mostly nocturnal bottom dweller that comes out to feed in the evening. Feed sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and small live foods after the lights dim.

Keep it on its own or as a single pair, since it is not a group fish. It can be territorial with its own kind in tight quarters. It is peaceful toward fish too large to swallow but will eat very small tank mates, so skip tiny species. Breeding has not been recorded in the aquarium.

Good to know

The Borneo hornet catfish belongs to the family Bagridae and is also called the funebris bumblebee catfish. Heok Hee Ng described it in 2010 from the Rungan River drainage in southern Borneo. It has a pale side stripe and two pale oblique bands on a dark body. Only one close relative, Pseudomystus heokhuii of Sumatra, shares that pattern.

In the wild

The Borneo hornet catfish comes from blackwater peat streams and pools in southern Borneo. Tannins from fallen leaves stain the water the color of weak tea and drive the pH low.

Common questions

What size tank does a Borneo hornet catfish need?

A Borneo hornet catfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Borneo hornet catfish need?

A Borneo hornet catfish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 4.5–6.5.

What does a Borneo hornet catfish eat?

A Borneo hornet catfish eats sinking foods, frozen bloodworm and small live foods. Feed it after the lights dim, when it comes out of hiding.

How big does a Borneo hornet catfish get?

An adult Borneo hornet catfish reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Related species