Bumblebee Catfish: Complete Care Guide for Beginners

TL;DR: The South American bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi) stays small at 2–3 inches and suits 10-gallon tanks, but the Asian bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis) grows to 8 inches — always confirm which species you're buying. These nocturnal carnivores will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths, so tank mates must be clearly larger than the catfish's head. They thrive at 70–77°F in water with good flow, fed sinking carnivore pellets and frozen bloodworms after lights out.

If you're searching for a small, striking, and slightly mysterious fish for your freshwater aquarium, the bumblebee catfish deserves a serious look. Its bold yellow and black bands make it look almost exotic — like it belongs on a coral reef, not the bottom of a South American river. But that contrast is exactly what makes it so appealing.

It's peaceful, relatively easy to care for, and packed with personality. Once the lights go out, you'll find it darting across the substrate, emerging from its favorite cave, and sometimes even climbing the tank walls. It's a fish that rewards patient observers.

This guide covers everything you need to keep a bumblebee catfish healthy and happy for years to come.

What Is a Bumblebee Catfish?

The name "bumblebee catfish" actually applies to more than one species, so it's worth knowing which one you're getting. The most common species in the hobby is the South American bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi). It's a small, nocturnal catfish native to fast-moving rocky streams in Venezuela and Colombia.

There's also the Asian bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis), which looks very similar when young but grows significantly larger — up to 8 inches. If you're buying from a fish store, always ask which species they're selling. The South American version is far more common and much better suited to smaller home aquariums.

Here's a quick species overview:

The stripe pattern varies slightly between individuals. Some have crisp, well-defined bands. Others have a more mottled, irregular pattern. Either way, they're beautiful little fish that stand out in any aquarium.

Setting Up the Tank

Bumblebee catfish don't need a massive aquarium, but they do need the right environment. In the wild, they live in rocky, fast-flowing rivers with lots of hiding spots and a sandy or gravelly bottom. Your goal is to replicate that setup as closely as you can.

Tank Size

A 10-gallon tank is the minimum for a single bumblebee catfish. If you want to keep a small group — which is actually more interesting to watch — go with at least a 20-gallon. These fish aren't very active during the day, but they need room to roam at night without bumping into each other.

If you're setting up a community tank with other bottom dwellers, you may also want to check out our Panda Corydoras: Complete Care Guide for Beginners — another small, peaceful catfish with similar habitat needs.

Substrate

Use fine sand or smooth rounded gravel for the substrate. Bumblebee catfish spend a lot of time on the bottom and forage by feel. Sharp gravel can damage their sensitive barbels (the whisker-like organs they use to find food), leading to infections and chronic stress.

Pool filter sand or aquarium-specific fine sand works well and looks natural.

Hiding Spots and Decor

This is non-negotiable. Bumblebee catfish are shy, secretive fish. Without proper hiding spots, they'll be chronically stressed and prone to illness. Give them:

• Caves made from stacked rocks or ceramic aquarium decorations
• Driftwood for shelter and to naturally soften water
• PVC pipe sections — a cheap, fish-safe, and surprisingly effective cave substitute
• Dense live plants like java fern or anubias for extra cover

The more hiding spots you provide, the more confident your bumblebee catfish will become. A fish that feels safe is a fish that comes out and shows its personality.

Lighting

Keep the tank light moderate to dim. These are nocturnal fish. Bright overhead lighting drives them into hiding during the day. If you want to observe them more often, try adding a blue or red "moonlight" LED setting in the evening — bumblebee catfish will often become active under low-light conditions even before the main lights go off.

Filtration and Water Flow

Bumblebee catfish come from oxygenated, moving water, so they appreciate some current. A hang-on-back filter or a canister filter works well. Just make sure the intake isn't powerful enough to trap small fish against the screen — use a sponge pre-filter if needed.

Water Parameters

These fish are moderately adaptable, but they do best in soft to medium-hard, slightly acidic to neutral water. Here's what to target:

Do a 25% water change every week. Bumblebee catfish are sensitive to ammonia and nitrite spikes. Poor water quality is the number one cause of disease in this species. Invest in a reliable aquarium water test kit and check your parameters regularly — especially in a new tank that's still cycling.

Temperature stability matters too. Sudden fluctuations weaken the immune system and stress the fish. An adjustable aquarium heater with a built-in thermostat keeps things consistent year-round.

Feeding Your Bumblebee Catfish

Bumblebee catfish are carnivores. Don't let their small size fool you — these fish are active nocturnal hunters that feed on invertebrates and small prey in the wild. They need protein-rich foods to thrive.

The good news is they're not picky. A varied diet is easy to put together:

• Sinking carnivore pellets — the dietary staple; look for high-protein formulas
• Frozen bloodworms — a firm favorite and excellent for conditioning
• Frozen brine shrimp — good for nutritional variety
• Daphnia — a useful supplement, especially for gut health
• Frozen or live tubifex worms — offer occasionally as a treat

Always feed after the lights go out. Drop food directly near their hiding spots so fast daytime fish don't eat it all before your catfish emerges. A pair of feeding tongs can help you place food precisely.

Feed adults once a day or every other day. These fish have a modest metabolism and can become overweight if fed too generously. A good rule: if there's uneaten food still on the bottom after 10–15 minutes, you're feeding too much.

One important caution: bumblebee catfish will eat any fish small enough to fit in their mouths. Tiny fish, fry, and small shrimp are all at risk — especially at night when the catfish is most active. More on this in the next section.

Temperament and Tank Mates

Bumblebee catfish are generally peaceful toward fish of similar or larger size. They're not aggressive or territorial in the typical sense. But they are opportunistic predators at night, which means your tank mate selection matters.

Good Tank Mates

Choose fish that are:

• Too large to be swallowed (bigger than the catfish's head)
• Not known fin nippers (bumblebee catfish have trailing pectoral fins that tempt nippy species)
• Peaceful and compatible with similar water parameters

Great options include:

• Medium-sized tetras (black skirt, congo, or serpae tetras)
• Rainbowfish
• Gouramis
• Larger rasboras (like lambchop or harlequin rasboras)
• Other peaceful bottom dwellers, like Panda Corydoras
• Peaceful dwarf cichlids (keyhole cichlids, apistogramma species)

Tank Mates to Avoid

• Tiny fish — neon tetras, ember tetras, chili rasboras, and similar nano fish are bite-sized prey
• Shrimp — cherry shrimp, ghost shrimp, and amano shrimp will likely be eaten
• Fin nippers — tiger barbs and similar species will harass the catfish
• Large aggressive cichlids — Oscars, Jack Dempseys, and similar fish will bully or attack them

Keeping Multiple Bumblebee Catfish

Yes, you can keep more than one — but give them plenty of space and hiding spots. Males can be territorial with each other, especially in tight quarters. A group of 3–5 in a 30-gallon tank with multiple caves works well. Interestingly, groups seem to be more active and less skittish than solitary fish.

Do Bumblebee Catfish Eat Other Fish?

This is one of the most common questions about this species, and the honest answer is: yes, they can and will eat small fish. Any tank mate that fits in their mouth is a potential meal — particularly at night when the catfish is most active and other fish are resting.

This doesn't make them bad community fish. It just means you need to be thoughtful about what you pair them with. Stick to fish that are clearly larger than the catfish's head, and you'll have no issues. The bumblebee catfish won't actively hunt or chase fish that are too large to swallow.

Breeding Bumblebee Catfish

Breeding in captivity is uncommon but entirely possible with the right conditions. Most hobbyists who've had success report it happening somewhat accidentally in mature, well-planted tanks.

If you want to encourage breeding, try:

• Conditioning with live or frozen foods for several weeks before attempting to breed
• Dropping the temperature slightly — to around 68°F — to simulate seasonal changes
• Providing multiple caves — the male will claim and defend a spawning site
• Softer, slightly more acidic water — targeting pH 6.5 and lower hardness

The female deposits eggs inside the cave. The male guards them until they hatch, usually in about 4–5 days. Once the fry are free-swimming, remove the parents — adults may eat the fry if food is scarce.

Fry are very small. Start them on liquid fry food or infusoria, then transition to baby brine shrimp as they grow. Breeding success rates are higher in a dedicated species tank than in a busy community setup.

Common Health Issues

Bumblebee catfish are hardy fish when kept in clean, well-maintained water. Most health problems trace back to poor water quality or stress.

Ich (White Spot Disease)

Ich is caused by a parasitic protozoan and appears as tiny white dots across the body and fins — it looks like someone sprinkled salt on the fish. It's contagious and spreads fast. Treat with a quality aquarium ich treatment and raise the tank temperature by a few degrees to accelerate the parasite's life cycle.

Bacterial Infections

Symptoms include fin rot, red streaks on the body, ulcers, or cloudy eyes. These are usually secondary to injuries or chronic poor water quality. Fix the water first, then treat with an appropriate antibacterial medication if the infection doesn't clear up on its own.

Fungal Infections

Cotton-like white or grayish growth on the body or fins is a classic sign of fungal infection. Usually follows a wound. Treat with an antifungal aquarium medication and investigate the cause of the injury.

Prevention Is Everything

The best way to keep your bumblebee catfish healthy is simple:

• Perform consistent weekly water changes
• Never skip your water tests
• Feed a varied, high-quality diet
• Quarantine all new fish for 2–4 weeks before adding them to the display tank

That last point matters more than most people realize. The quarantine tank is your first line of defense against introducing disease to an established aquarium.

Where to Buy and What to Expect

(Estimates only — actual prices on Amazon may vary.)

Bumblebee catfish are widely available at local fish stores and through online vendors. At a local shop, expect to pay around $5–$10 per fish. Online prices can range from $8–$20 depending on the seller. Captive-bred specimens tend to be hardier than wild-caught fish.

When selecting fish, look for:

• Active behavior — even shy fish should react when you approach the tank
• No white spots, lesions, or torn fins
• Clear, bright eyes
• Fish that aren't sitting motionless in a corner

Be cautious when buying online — confirm you're getting Microglanis iheringi (the South American species) rather than the larger Asian bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis). Both are sold under the same common name, but they have very different adult sizes and tank requirements.