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Portellus bee catfish

Akysis portellus

Also known as Bumble bee cat portellus

FreshwaterFish

Portellus bee catfish (Akysis portellus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
1.6 in
4 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Akysidae
Origin
Sittaung basin, Myanmar

Overview

The Portellus bee catfish is a tiny, peaceful stream catfish for the bottom of a calm community tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The Portellus bee catfish's name looks like it should mean wasp or bee, but portellus is Latin for a little gate. It was chosen because the fish has an unusually small mouth. The bumble bee is only its trade name, borrowed from the banded pattern.

Caring for the Portellus bee catfish

Give the Portellus bee catfish at least 14 gal (54 L) with a soft sand bed, some smooth rocks and wood. Sand is not optional, since it spends the day buried in it or hidden under wood. It comes out to forage after dark.

These are cool-stream fish, so keep them on the cooler side of tropical, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C). Aim for soft to neutral water with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Give them brisk water movement and high oxygen, and stay on top of water quality.

Feed sinking foods at lights out, favoring frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp. It will not fight boisterous tank mates for food.

The Portellus bee catfish is peaceful and community safe. Keep a small group of its own kind alongside other calm, small fish. Handle it with care, since its fin spines can deliver a sting. Its breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

Good to know

The Portellus bee catfish, Akysis portellus, is a member of the Asian stream catfish family Akysidae. It was described in 2009 from the Sittaung drainage, where it lives alongside the closely similar Akysis longifilis.

In the wild

The Portellus bee catfish lives in the Sittaung river system of southern Myanmar. It keeps to clear, flowing streams over sand, gravel and stones.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Portellus bee catfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Portellus bee catfish need?

A Portellus bee catfish needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Portellus bee catfish need?

A Portellus bee catfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Portellus bee catfish eat?

A Portellus bee catfish eats sinking foods at lights out. Frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp suit it best.

How big does a Portellus bee catfish get?

An adult Portellus bee catfish reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

Related species