Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus) Care Guide
A bizarre-looking catfish with a flat, leaf-shaped body that resembles a banjo. Completely sedentary during the day, burying itself in the substrate. Emerges at night to scavenge for food.
Overview
Bunocephalus coracoideus is a species in the family Aspredinidae. A bizarre-looking catfish with a flat, leaf-shaped body that resembles a banjo. Completely sedentary during the day, burying itself in the substrate. Emerges at night to scavenge for food. A true oddball fish that often goes unnoticed in the aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Aspredinidae
- Genus: Bunocephalus
- Scientific name: Bunocephalus coracoideus
- Origin: South America, Amazon Basin
Habitat
Bunocephalus coracoideus is a flattened, banjo-shaped catfish from the Amazon basin of South America. A nocturnal, slow-moving bottom dweller, it buries in sand and leaf litter by day and feeds on detritus, small invertebrates and worms.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-28 °C
- pH: 6-7.5
- GH: 3-15 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Adult size: 10-15 cm
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Difficulty: intermediate
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 1x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Position in tank: bottom
- Compatible tank mates: Corydoras, Neon Tetra, Harlequin Rasbora, Bristlenose Pleco
- Avoid with: Aggressive Bottom Dwellers, Large Cichlids
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
- Breeding difficulty: advanced