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Borneo scissortail catfish

Pseudomystus stenogrammus

Also known as Narrow-line bumblebee catfish

FreshwaterFish

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
Tankmates with caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Barito basin, Borneo
Family
Bagridae

Overview

This is the larger cousin of the bumblebee catfishes, reaching about 14 centimeters, and it is best kept singly or as a pair rather than in a group. It is a mostly nocturnal bottom fish that patrols the floor for food and wants wood, rockwork, and some current to feel secure. It is peaceful with fish too big to be eaten but will take small tankmates, so pick sturdy, medium-sized companions and avoid anything tiny. Offer sinking pellets, wafers, and frozen or live foods in the evening. A tank of around 160 liters with cover and gentle flow gives it room to work.

In the wild

It lives in the Barito river system of southern Borneo, in flowing, forest-shaded water over sand, stone, and sunken wood. Set up a tank with a soft substrate, plenty of driftwood and rocky retreats, and moderate water movement. Keep the water warm at 23 to 27 C and soft to neutral, around pH 6.0 to 7.5. Subdued lighting brings it out of hiding and shows off its clean, single-lined pattern.

Good to know

Pseudomystus stenogrammus is a bagrid catfish, family Bagridae, described from the Barito drainage of Borneo. It grows to around 14 centimeters, large for its mostly small genus. The name stenogrammus means narrow-lined, and it refers to the single thin pale stripe running along each dark flank, which sets it apart from the banded bumblebee catfishes it resembles. Its breeding habits in aquariums are undocumented.

Did you know

Most of its close relatives wear broad bumblebee bands, but this species carries just one narrow pale line down each side. That single stripe is what the name stenogrammus, narrow-lined, describes.

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 do Borneo scissortail catfish need?

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

How big do Borneo scissortail catfish get?

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

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Bottom dwellers

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