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Hendrickson's bee catfish

Akysis hendricksoni

Also known as Hendricksoni akysis

FreshwaterFish

Hendrickson's bee catfish (Akysis hendricksoni)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.4 in
6 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg layer
Rarity
Rare
Family
Akysidae
Origin
Peninsular Malaysia and peninsular Thailand

Overview

Hendrickson's bee catfish is a small, peaceful stream catfish for the bottom of a calm community tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

Hendrickson's bee catfish carries the name of biologist John Hendrickson. He was a mentor to the scientist who described it in 1966, and he helped net the very first specimens used to name the species.

Caring for the Hendrickson's bee catfish

Give Hendrickson's bee catfish at least 14 gal (54 L) with a soft sand bed, smooth stones and wood. The sand is essential, since it hides by day buried in it or tucked under wood. It comes out to forage after dark.

As a stream fish it prefers the cooler side of tropical, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C). Soft to neutral water with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 suits it, kept stable, clean and well oxygenated. Give it a current, anywhere from gentle to brisk.

It is a nocturnal micropredator. Feed sinking foods in the evening, such as frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, and add small sinking pellets once it settles. It will not fight pushy tank mates for food.

Hendrickson's bee catfish is peaceful and community safe. Keep a small group of its own kind with other calm, modest-sized fish. Take care when netting it, as the fin spines can sting. It is an egg layer with no parental care, and its breeding is not recorded in aquaria.

Good to know

Hendrickson's bee catfish, Akysis hendricksoni, belongs to the Asian stream catfish family Akysidae. It is one of the larger bee catfishes.

In the wild

Hendrickson's bee catfish lives in forest streams of the Malay Peninsula, across northern Peninsular Malaysia and the far south of Thailand. It keeps to clear, flowing water over sand and gravel.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Hendrickson's 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 Hendrickson's bee catfish need?

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

What temperature and pH does a Hendrickson's bee catfish need?

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

What does a Hendrickson's bee catfish eat?

Hendrickson's bee catfish is a nocturnal micropredator. It eats sinking foods in the evening, such as frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, plus small sinking pellets once it settles.

How big does a Hendrickson's bee catfish get?

An adult Hendrickson's bee catfish reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).

How does a Hendrickson's bee catfish breed?

Hendrickson's bee catfish lays eggs and gives them no parental care. Its breeding has not been recorded in aquaria.

Related species