TankBud

Burmese marble bee catfish

Akysis prashadi

Also known as Prashadi bee cat, Indawgyi bee cat, Burmese marble catfish

FreshwaterFish

Burmese marble bee catfish (Akysis prashadi)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Common
Family
Akysidae
Origin
Lake Indawgyi basin, Myanmar

Overview

The Burmese marble bee catfish is the largest of the bee catfish, a peaceful sand dweller for the bottom of a cool community tank. It takes a little experience to keep well.

Did you know

The Burmese marble bee catfish comes from the watershed of a lake that is sacred to Burmese pilgrims.

Caring for the Burmese marble bee catfish

Keep a small group of Burmese marble bee catfish in 14 gal (54 L) or more, with sand and stone. A soft sand substrate is essential, because it buries itself during the day. At night it works the floor for food.

Keep the water cool-leaning, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, with gentle flow and clean water. Feed sinking foods and frozen bloodworm after lights out, since it will not compete at the surface.

The Burmese marble bee catfish is peaceful and community safe. It is big enough to share a tank with small rasboras and danios without being eaten. Its pectoral spines are venomous and deliver a painful sting, so move it in a container rather than a net. Breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

Good to know

The Burmese marble bee catfish, Akysis prashadi, is a member of the catfish family Akysidae. It carries a marbled brown pattern that breaks up its outline against sand. It is also sold as the Prashadi bee cat or the Indawgyi bee cat.

In the wild

The Burmese marble bee catfish lives in the streams feeding Lake Indawgyi in northern Myanmar. The water there is clear, runs over sand and gravel, and stays cooler than most tropical tanks.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Burmese marble 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 Burmese marble bee catfish need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Burmese marble bee catfish need?

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

What does a Burmese marble bee catfish eat?

A Burmese marble bee catfish eats sinking foods and frozen bloodworm, fed after lights out. It will not compete for food at the surface.

How big does a Burmese marble bee catfish get?

An adult Burmese marble bee catfish reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

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