All fish / Bagridae

Asian bumblebee catfish

Pseudomystus siamensis

Also known as bumblebee catfish, asian bumble bee catfish, siamese bumblebee catfish, leiocassis siamensis, bumble bee bagrid, siamese catfish, ปลากดขี้ลิง, ปลาแขยงข้างลาย, シャムバガー, 暹罗鮠, 大黄蜂鲶

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This hardy bagrid catfish has a dark brown body with irregular cream or yellow bands and saddles, plus four pairs of barbels. Hobbyists like it for its bold patterning and robust nature, and it is often sold small as a community bottom dweller.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a group of 3 or more in a large tank with plenty of caves

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, bloodworm, shrimp, earthworms and small fish

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Peninsular Malaysia (Mekong, Chao Phraya and Mae Klong basins)

Breeding

It has rarely been bred in home aquariums, and most fish sold are wild caught. Little is known about how it spawns in captivity.

Good to know

It hides by day and feeds at night, and it will eat any tankmate small enough to swallow, so keep it away from small tetras and shrimp. It can be territorial over caves and makes croaking sounds when handled.