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Borneo scissortail catfish

Pseudomystus stenogrammus

Also known as Narrow-line bumblebee catfish

FreshwaterFish

Borneo scissortail catfish (Pseudomystus stenogrammus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F
23–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
5.5 in
14 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Bagridae
Origin
Barito basin, Borneo

Overview

The Borneo scissortail catfish is the larger cousin of the bumblebee catfishes, a mostly nocturnal bottom fish. It suits a keeper with a little experience.

Did you know

Most of the Borneo scissortail catfish's close relatives wear broad bumblebee bands, but it carries just one narrow pale line down each side. That single stripe is what its name, stenogrammus, meaning narrow-lined, describes.

Caring for the Borneo scissortail catfish

Give the Borneo scissortail catfish a tank of around 42 gal (160 L), with cover and room to work. Use a soft substrate with plenty of driftwood and rocky retreats. Some current helps it feel secure, so give it moderate water movement. Subdued lighting brings it out of hiding and shows off its clean, single-lined pattern.

Keep the water warm and soft to neutral, at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It patrols the floor for food. Offer sinking pellets, wafers and frozen or live foods in the evening.

Keep it singly or as a pair rather than in a group. It is peaceful with fish too big to be eaten but will take small tank mates. Pick sturdy, medium-sized companions and avoid anything tiny. Its breeding habits in aquariums are undocumented.

Good to know

The Borneo scissortail catfish, also called the narrow-line bumblebee catfish, is a bagrid in the family Bagridae. It was described from the Barito drainage of Borneo and is large for its mostly small genus.

In the wild

The Borneo scissortail catfish lives in the Barito river system of southern Borneo. It is found in flowing, forest-shaded water over sand, stone and sunken wood.

Common questions

What size tank does a Borneo scissortail catfish need?

A Borneo scissortail catfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Borneo scissortail catfish need?

A Borneo scissortail catfish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Borneo scissortail catfish eat?

A Borneo scissortail catfish eats sinking pellets, wafers and frozen or live foods. Offer them in the evening, when it patrols the floor for food.

How big does a Borneo scissortail catfish get?

An adult Borneo scissortail catfish reaches about 5.5 in (14 cm).

Related species