Bumblebee catfish care guide
Also called: South American bumblebee catfish, Bumblebee cat
The South American bumblebee catfish is a small, chunky catfish banded in yellow and dark brown. It hides by day and hunts at night, eating fish and shrimp that fit in its wide mouth. One needs a 20-gallon (76 L) tank with caves.
Bumblebee catfish need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), and water at 22–26°C (72–79°F) with a pH of 6–7.5. They grow to about 7.5 cm (3 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with bumblebee catfishSee all tank mates
Bumblebee catfish quick facts
| Scientific name | Microglanis iheringi |
|---|---|
| Family | Pseudopimelodidae |
| Origin | Northern Venezuela (Turmero River area); many fish sold under this name are closely related Microglanis species |
| Adult size | 7.5 cm (3 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L) |
| Temperature | 22–26°C (72–79°F) |
| pH | 6–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 4–12 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Care level | Easy |
| Lifespan | 4–8 years |
| Safe with shrimp? | No, eats shrimp |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
Tank setup
One fish needs at least a 20-gallon (76 L) tank; add about 10 gallons (38 L) for each extra catfish. Give every catfish its own cave, rock crevice or hollow piece of driftwood. Keep the lighting dim or shaded by plants. Sand or smooth gravel and a moderate current suit it.
How many bumblebee catfish in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits bumblebee catfish is a 20 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Bumblebee catfish (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Up to 8 |
| 20 gallon long | Up to 8 |
| 29 gallon | Up to 12 |
| 40 gallon | Up to 17 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 24 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 33 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 55 |
What you need for bumblebee catfish
Sized for a 20 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits bumblebee catfish. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 50 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 75 °F (24 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Hang-on-back filter rated 80–120 GPH (opens Amazon in a new tab)Community tank: 4–6 times the tank volume per hour. How to choose
- About 35 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 24 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for bumblebee catfish
- Sinking pellets or wafers (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bottom feeders need food that reaches the floor.
- Freeze-dried bloodworms or brine shrimp (opens Amazon in a new tab)A treat that carnivores and insect eaters love. Feed it a few times a week.
- Caves and hides (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gives shy and territorial fish their own space.
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Water parameters
Keep it at 22–26°C (72–79°F), pH 6.0–7.5 and soft to moderately hard water (about 4–12 dGH). It comes from clear, flowing streams, so it needs clean, well-oxygenated water. Change part of the water every week.
Best tank mates for bumblebee catfish
These popular species share bumblebee catfish' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 61 good matches.
Betta fish
6.5 cm (2.6 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Dwarf gourami
7.5 cm (3 in) · 24–28°C (75–82°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Angelfish
15 cm (5.9 in) · 24–29°C (75–84°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Avoid keeping bumblebee catfish with
- Cherry shrimp: Bumblebee catfish eats small shrimp like cherry shrimp.
- Neon tetra: Bumblebee catfish can eat neon tetras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Oscar: Oscar can eat bumblebee catfish: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- African dwarf frog: Bumblebee catfish can eat African dwarf frogs.
- Celestial pearl danio: Bumblebee catfish can eat celestial pearl danios: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
- Chili rasbora: Bumblebee catfish can eat chili rasboras: they're small enough to fit in its mouth once it's grown.
Feeding
It is a carnivore that eats insects and other small animals. Feed sinking pellets and tablets plus frozen bloodworms, mosquito larvae and brine shrimp. Drop food in after lights out so it gets a share. Don't overfeed this slow, stocky fish.
Behavior
Bumblebee catfish leave larger fish alone but eat fry, small fish and shrimp at night. Choose tankmates longer than about 1.5 inches (4 cm), such as larger tetras, barbs, rasboras, dwarf gouramis and corydoras. Several can share a tank if each has its own hiding spot. Expect to see it mostly at feeding time.
Breeding
Aquarium spawnings are uncommon and poorly documented. Reports describe well-fed adults spawning after a cool water change, with the eggs hidden deep in a dark cave that the male watches over. Many fish sold under this name are close relatives, so exact identification is uncertain.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Don't mix it up with the Asian bumblebee catfish, a different fish that grows much larger.
- Give each catfish its own cave so they don't squabble over hiding spots.
- Feed after lights out. This night hunter often misses daytime meals.
- Skip nano fish and dwarf shrimp. Anything that fits in its mouth becomes food.
- A dim blue night light lets you watch it hunt without stressing it.
Frequently asked questions
Will a bumblebee catfish eat my fish?
It can eat fry and fish small enough to swallow, like neon tetras, ember tetras and baby guppies. Community fish longer than about 1.5 inches (4 cm) are usually safe.
Is the South American bumblebee catfish the same as the Asian bumblebee catfish?
No. The Asian bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis) is a different fish that grows much larger and is pushier. The South American species stays around 3 inches (7–8 cm).
Why do I never see my bumblebee catfish?
It is nocturnal and spends the day wedged in caves. Feeding after lights out or watching under a dim night light is the best way to see it.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.