Bunocephalus coracoideus
| Common Names: | Banjo Catfish |
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| Family: | Aspredinidae |
| Category: | Catfish_Bottom_Feeders |
| Distribution: | America - South; America - South |
| Main Ecosystem: | Not Specified |
| Temperament: | Reclusive; Reclusive |
| Diet: | Ominvore; Will readily take most foods. Dropping in a catfish pellet at night is the best way to ensure that they are fed.Some of the more difficult to feed specimens can be stimulated by the scent of tubifex worms are many specimens are fond of bloodworm. Occassionally a banjo cat may be tempted into an afternoon emergence by these tasty tidbits. Small shrimp seem to go down equally well. |
| Care: | Make sure you have a fine substrate as they like to burrow. In the wild they hide under leaf litter. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 15cm (5.9") Female: 15cm (5.9") |
| Water Region: | Bottom; Bottom |
| Activity: | Nocturnal; Nocturnal |
| Gender: | unknow |
| Breeding: | Although mating is not typically witnessed,possibly occuring under the substrate, banjo cats can be encouraged to lay bu keeping them at they upper end of there temperature range, at about 80f for several months, followed by a drop to the low 70'f. Eggs will be laid in woods and substrates. Young are very difficult to raise, specializing in taking small microorganisms and infusoria. A natural style rearing aquarium with leaf litter sunstrates and some organic detritus may help bring the young on until of suitable size to be taking the smaller livefoods. Babies may not eat catfish foods until well over a cm in length, which means an aquarium intended to raise young must have as much microorganic life available as is possible without encouraging the water quality to be ridiculously high in nitrate. Again, tubifex will be some of the more eagerly accepted foods for youngsters. |
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| Comments: | Not the prettiest catfish, but still a favorite amongst catfish keepers. There have been reports of banjo catfish shedding their skin, but this may be a rumour. To put on a burst of speed, the Banjo Catfish will take a mouthful of water, and shoot it out of their gills. Be careful not to house these catfish with other species that regularly disturb substrates, such as earth eater cichlids, as constant forced emergences may discourage them from feeding. Although often in the same scope of interest for a keeper, do not keep doradid species with banjo cats unless you have some of the larger species, as the doradids may excavate the banjos and damage their fins. Obviously a loose , fine grained substrate, mud, or leaf litter is an essential part of banjo catfish keeping. Although as a result of these substrates you may hardly see these fish until after lights out, it is essential that the stresses of exposure and photshock are avoided. Banjo's like it dark and peaceful, and will not do well unless these conditions are indulged. |
| Main Colours: | Black, Brown |
| Markings: | Mottled |
| Mouth: | Downturned |
| Tail: | Convex |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | Oscar_Jewel |
| Submitted By: | Fish_Tank |
| Contributors: | Adam, longhairedgit |
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