All fish / Bagridae

Bumblebee Catfish

Pseudomystus leiacanthus

Also known as asian bumblebee catfish, borneo bumblebee catfish, bumble bee catfish, leiacanthus catfish, baung

A small Asian bagrid catfish with a dark brown body broken up by pale yellowish bands and blotches, giving it a bumblebee-like look. It is kept by catfish enthusiasts for its attractive markings and is mostly active after dark, hiding among wood and rocks by day.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

5 to 7

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group of 3 or more with plenty of hiding places

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, bloodworm, chopped prawn, earthworms and other meaty foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Sumatra and Borneo (Indonesia, Malaysia)

Breeding

There are no reliable reports of captive breeding, and almost all fish in the trade are wild caught.

Good to know

It is nocturnal and will eat small fish such as rasboras and tetras at night, so tankmates should be too large to swallow. Similar banded bagrids are often sold under the same name, so identification can be uncertain.