Banjo Catfish

Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus Coracoideus)

The Banjo Catfish is a unique and intriguing addition to any freshwater aquarium. With its unusual appearance and interesting behavior, this fish is sure to captivate any aquarist.

The Banjo Catfish is named for its distinctive body shape, which resembles a banjo. Its elongated, flat body is brown to dark brown in color, often with a mottled pattern that provides excellent camouflage against the substrate. The fish's eyes are small and located at the top of its head, giving it a somewhat quirky appearance. Adult Banjo Catfish typically reach a size of about 6 inches.

In terms of personality, the Banjo Catfish is a peaceful and somewhat shy species. They are primarily nocturnal, often burying themselves in the substrate during the day and becoming more active at night. They are not known to be aggressive or territorial, making them a good choice for community tanks.

When considering tank mates for the Banjo Catfish, it's important to choose species that are also peaceful and non-aggressive. Ideal tank mates include small schooling fish like tetras, hatchetfish, pencilfish, and rasboras, as well as dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish such as Corydoras catfish and smaller Loricariids. It’s totally unaggressive towards conspecifics and is equally happy when kept singly or as part of a group. However, they should not be kept with large, aggressive species like cichlids or predatory fish, which could stress or harm the Banjo Catfish.

The diet of the Banjo Catfish is carnivorous. Provide a diverse selection of small, protein-rich frozen foods like bloodworms, white and black mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, daphnia, including various sinking catfish pellets or granules for your Banjo Catfish. If there are other fish in the aquarium, ensure that your Banjo Catfish are getting their share of the food. You can achieve this by directly feeding frozen foods near their hiding spots by using a meat baster to get in closer and offer their meals after the lights have been turned off.

Creating an ideal habitat for the Banjo Catfish involves replicating their natural environment. They prefer a fine sand or smooth gravel substrate, which allows them to burrow and hide. The tank should be decorated with plenty of hiding spots, such as caves, driftwood, slate, terracotta pipes, and rock formations. While they do not require plants for their well-being, live plants can add to the aesthetic appeal of the tank and provide additional cover. The lighting should be kept on the lower side to mimic their natural, dimly lit environment.

In terms of water parameters, the Banjo Catfish is quite adaptable. The minimum aquarium size for a single Banjo Catfish is 30 gallons, while a community aquarium should be at least 50 gallons to provide ample space. The ideal pH range is between 6.0 and 7.5, and the hardness should be within 5-19 dGH. The temperature should be maintained between 74-82°F (23-28°C). Banjo Catfish thrive best in well-oxygenated water with consistent water parameters and moderate current.