TankBud

Dwarf bumblebee catfish

Pseudomystus leiacanthus

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus leiacanthus)
(c) Zakqary Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–77°F
21–25°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Bagridae
Origin
Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula and Borneo)

Overview

The dwarf bumblebee catfish is a small, peaceful bagrid for a dim, quiet community tank. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The dwarf bumblebee catfish shares its bumblebee pattern with much larger catfishes, yet it is one of the smallest bagrids kept in the hobby. It is also a rare peaceful, group-friendly member of a family full of loners.

Caring for the dwarf bumblebee catfish

The dwarf bumblebee catfish needs a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or larger, which is plenty for a small group. A dim, blackwater-style layout suits it, with driftwood, caves, dried leaves and dense planting around open foraging space. Botanicals that tint the water and soften the light bring out its confidence and color.

Keep the water warm, at 70 to 77°F (21 to 25°C), and soft and gently acidic at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. It is a gentle bottom forager. Feed small sinking foods such as micro pellets, frozen bloodworms and cyclops after dark.

It is gregarious and settles better with others of its kind, so keep a small group. It will not bother fish it cannot swallow, though very small fry and shrimp may be at risk. It suits a quiet community of small, calm fish. Its breeding has not been documented in aquariums.

Good to know

The dwarf bumblebee catfish is a member of Bagridae, the naked catfishes. Its dark body is crossed by pale yellowish bands, a miniature version of the pattern on its larger bumblebee relatives. It is only occasionally available to hobbyists.

In the wild

The dwarf bumblebee catfish comes from the Malay Peninsula and Borneo. It lives in soft, acidic, tannin-stained peat swamps and shaded forest streams, thick with leaf litter and submerged roots. There it shoals and feeds on tiny aquatic invertebrates.

Common questions

What size tank does a dwarf bumblebee catfish need?

A dwarf bumblebee catfish needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a dwarf bumblebee catfish need?

A dwarf bumblebee catfish is comfortable at 70–77°F (21–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a dwarf bumblebee catfish eat?

A dwarf bumblebee catfish eats small sinking foods such as micro pellets, frozen bloodworms and cyclops. Feed it after dark, when it forages along the bottom.

How big does a dwarf bumblebee catfish get?

An adult dwarf bumblebee catfish reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

Related species