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Banjo CatfishGuitarrita, Two Colored Banjo Catfish, Bicolour Banjo CatfishFamily: Aspredinidae Bunocephalus coracoideusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David BroughLatest Reader Comment - See More Like someone crossed the front of a crab with the body of a catfish. Really cool looking, though they tend to stay out of sight during the day. Sometimes you'll... (more) drew The Banjo Catfish is a curious fish, with a curious name that describes its shape!Banjo Catfish Contents The Banjo Catfish Bunocephalus coracoideus is for the person looking for something unusual. It is also called the Two Colored Banjo Catfish, Bicolour Banjo catfish, and Guitarrita which means 'little guitar'. Sometimes they are even called "Frying Pan Fish". It has a growing popularity in the aquarium industry mainly due to its very odd appearance. The first part of Banjo Catfish's latin name, Bunocephalus, is derived from the greek word bounos, meaning hill and kephale, which translates into ‘bumpy head’. This scaleless catfish has a laterally compressed body that is covered with horizontal rows of large horny projections, called unculiferous tubercles. But its the wide head and a long slender body shape that resemble a banjo or guitar, and thus its common names. This species can also be found in some publications as Dysichthys coracoideus, an original combination. The Banjo Catfish is very peaceful fish and desirable in any community aquarium. They are compatible with all sizes of community fish, even the smallest of tank mates. They do well with all sort of small fish from tetras to cory catfish, and even dwarf cichlids. They can be kept as singly or as a group. This is a sedentary fish that seldom moves around much. They are often mistaken for dead but when you try to take them out, they quickly swim away. Banjo Catfish are moderately hardy and can adjust to a variety of aquarium conditions. This catfish is also a true scavenger, but because it is a nocturnal, it feeds at night. Its favored diet consists of different sorts of worms, but it will consume a wide variety of foods and debris on the substrate, even if it wasn't meant to be ingested. It is also a burrower and prefers a sandy bottom and light vegetation. For Information on keeping freshwater fish, see: |
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Habitat: Distribution / Background
The Banjo Catfish Bunocephalus coracoideus was described by Cope in 1874. (Synonyms: Dysichthys coracoideus, Bunocephalus bicolor, Dysichthys bicolor, Bunocephalus haggini.). This species, Bunocephalus coracoideus can also be found in some publications as Dysichthys coracoideus, an original combination. First thought to be a single species, the Banjo Catfish name incorporates several species all under the same common name. They originate from Peru, but their range goes throughout the Amazon into Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, and even as far west as Ecuador. Other common names they are known by include Guitarrita, Two Colored Banjo Catfish, Bicolor Banjo Catfish, Bicolour Banjo catfish, Bi-coloured Banjo, and Frying Pan Fish. Its close relative Bunocephalus amaurus, is also commonly called a Bi-coloured Banjo Catfish.
Bunocephalus coracoideus are primarily distributed in smaller streams, ponds, and lakes that all have calm conditions. Banjo Catfish love areas with lots of debris (e.g. wood) and leaf litter to hide under. They are omnivores and often consume organic debris. Because of their sedentary nature, they rarely ‘hunt’ for any food. Banjo Catfish in the wild can be located alone or in small groups.
There are currently 10 species in the Bunocephalus genus. The Bunocephalus genus is the largest group in the South American family of catfishes called Aspredinidae. It is also the most widely distributed and the only genus found in rivers west of the Andes. The Aspredinidae family itself is comprised of three subfamilies with the Banjo Catfish being a member of the Bunocephalinae subfamily. The other two are Aspredininae and Hoplomyzontinae. Bunocephalinae have a can be distinguished from Aspredininae by their shorter body and anal fin.
The Bunocephalus species have been described as being very similar to a genus called Dysichthys. These two genera were described as very similar in coloration and shape but with the Bunocephalus species having a much rougher grainier skin than the Dysichthys species. It is unclear whether Dysichthys is recognized today as its own distinct genus as it is currently included in some taxonomical resources and absent in others.
- Scientific Name: Bunocephalus coracoideus
- Social Grouping: Pairs - Singly or in small groups.
- IUCN Red List: LC - Least Concern
The Banjo Catfish is a relatively small catfish, usually less than half a foot (15 cm). It is a scaleless fish with a wide head and a long slender body shape that resemble a banjo or guitar. Its body is laterally compressed and is covered with horizontal rows of large a wart-like projections, called unculiferous tubercles. This flattened slender body allows them to hide under many more objects than opposed to if they were bulkier. Their eyes are very small in comparison to their body, and its difficult to tell where their eyes and their mouths are. They have distinct pectoral fins and a long tail. But Banjo Catfish do not have an adipose fin and they lack the locking mechanism on their dorsal spine that is common in most species of catfish.
Due to its small size, it has numerous potential predators. To make up for this they have extremely advanced camouflage that literally makes them disappear into the debris of their natural habitat. Each individual has a unique mottling of browns and grays, and this along with the ‘bumps’ all over their exterior contribute to their camouflage. Color patterns can range greatly.
- Maximum Size: 5.9 inches (15.01 cm)
- Lifespan: 12 years - These fish can live 8 to 12 years in the aquarium.
Despite their exotic appearance, Banjo Catfish are relatively easy to keep if they have the proper environment and are eating. As long as adequate hiding places are supplied without too much daily light, they are happy. Being nocturnal, they need to be fed in the evening. But because these fish are sedentary by nature, feeding won’t be accomplished fast and it’s important to make sure they are getting their needed share of food.
- Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
- Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate
Banjo Catfish are omnivores. that feed on a wide variety of foods. These catfish are scavengers and are not too picky when it comes to mealtime. They prefer live foods such as bloodworms, earthworms, and tubifex. They also will accept frozen foods, flake foods, catfish pellets/tablets, and anything else that might sink to the bottom. It’s important to note that these fish are generally nocturnal and shy individuals will not come out at feeding time if the lights are on. It’s usually a good routine if you place their food in the tank right before you turn the lights out.
- Diet Type: Omnivore
- Flake Food: Occasionally
- Tablet Pellet: Yes
- Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
- Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
- Meaty Food: Most of Diet
- Feeding Frequency: Daily - This fish is nocturnal and likes to be fed after the aqurarium lights are out for the night.
Banjo Catfish require no special aquarium maintenance. Simply make sure to siphon the substrate to ensure it is clean and free of dangerous ammonia pockets. They do well in most reasonable aquarium environments. An undergravel filter with a powerhead will work best to keep the tank properly oxygenated as will as keeping toxins out of the substrate. The recommended water change is 10 - 15% every other week to keep up with the bio-load.
- Water Changes: Bi-weekly - Water change of 10 - 15% every other week.
A minimum 25 gallon aquarium is recommended for the Banjo Catfish. These catfish require ample hiding places, particularly driftwood which mimics their natural environment. Have a few open spaces around their hideaways to drop their food in. After a while, they should come out and eat in daylight. Sand is recommended to allow the fish to bury under. Water parameters don’t have to be specific – they can range quite drastically without affecting them. One great thing about this catfish is its ability to thrive in pH extremes.
- Minimum Tank Size: 25 gal (95 L)
- Suitable for Nano Tank: Sometimes - If it is a larger sized Nano tank, at least 25 gallons
- Substrate Type: Sand - Fine sand or sand gravel mix should be provided so the fish can burrow.
- Lighting Needs: Low - subdued lighting
- Temperature: 68.0 - 84.0° F (20.0 - 28.9° C)
- Range ph: 5.0-8.0
- Hardness Range: 5 - 19 dGH
- Brackish: No
- Water Movement: Moderate
- Water Region: Bottom
Banjo Catfish are the epitome of a peaceful nature. They get along excellently in a community tank, though they are reclusive and nocturnal so may be rarely seen. Adding Moonlight LEDs to the tank will give you the adility to view these fish. Banjo Catfish are fine alone or in groups of their own kind, and can coexist with the smallest and most docile of fish. But be careful when adding them to a tank with boisterous and aggressive fish. This could end badly for the Banjo because they have few defenses and rely on camouflage, which is hard to achieve in an aquarium.
- Venomous: No
- Temperament: Peaceful - Peaceful and remarkably inactive. It appreciates hiding places and sand to burrow in.
- Same species - conspecifics: Yes
- Peaceful fish (): Safe
- Semi-Aggressive (): Monitor
- Aggressive (): Threat
- Large Semi-Aggressive (): Monitor
- Large Aggressive, Predatory (): Threat
- Slow Swimmers & Eaters (): Safe - The Banjo Catfish is a slow swimmer and eater.
- Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Threat - is aggressive - Banjo catfish have been known to eat snails and other invertebrates.
- Plants: Monitor - May tear up plants to provide spawning areas under the leaves.
Though both sexes look similar, a mature female Banjo Catfish can be recognized by her fuller and rounder belly.
Banjo Catfish reach sexual maturity at about 4 1/2 inches. In the wild, it is possible that the Banjo Catfish spawn in groups. In an aquarium, the breeding pair prefer to spawn in a natural rock cave with a sandy bottom. However if rocks shelters are not available, they may tear up plants in order to drop leaves under which they may spawn.
Spawning usually happens in the dark, particularly at night where numerous batches of eggs are randomly deposited in an egg-scattering fashion. This often occurs over several nights, adding up to 4000-5000 eggs in total. Interestingly, this species incubates their eggs like a chicken by sitting on them. However, to protect the fry from other fishes they should be removed from the main aquarium (or placed in a hanging fry net). The eggs hatch in approximately three days. The newly hatched fry should be fed miniscule live foods. They can be fed rotifers and later tubifex worms. The fry won't eat flake foods or Daphnia. This can be exchanged for tubifex worms and tablet food as they get older.
- Ease of Breeding: Difficult - Aquarium breedings are very rare. Spawning occurs in a group and the eggs should be removed.
Banjo Catfish are not particularly susceptible to any one disease. If proper conditions and acclimating methods are met they should live healthy, long lives. Like most catfish, they are sensitive to ammonia poisoning because they occupy the bottom of the tank where ammonia is more concentrated. That’s why regular siphoning is crucial. It is recommended to read up on the common tank diseases. Knowing the signs and catching and treating them early makes a huge difference. Banjo catfish are very resiliant. For information about freshwater fish diseases and illnesses, see Aquarium Fish Diseases and Treatments.Take great care when treating disease as the Banjo is extremely sensitive to medications.
A good thing about Banjo is that due to their resilience, an outbreak of disease can often be limited to just one or a few fishes if you deal with it at an early stage. When keeping more sensitive types of fish, it is common for all fishes to be infected even before the first warning signs can be noticed. The best way to proactively prevent disease is to give your Banjo Catfish the proper environment and give them a well balanced diet. The closer to their natural habitat the less stress the fish will have, making them healthier and happy. I stressed fish will is more likely to acquire disease.
Remember anything you add to your tank can bring disease to your tank. Not only other fish but plants, substrate, and decorations can harbor bacteria. Take great care and make sure to properly clean or quaranteen anything that you add to an established tank so not to upset the balance
Banjo Catfish are becoming increasingly popular and are usually easy to find in most fish specialty stores and online. Occasionally, you will find them in a general pet store. Prices are reasonable.
- Animal-World References: Freshwater Fish and Plants
- Glen S. Axelrod, Brian M. Scott, Neal Pronek, Encyclopedia Of Exotic Tropical Fishes For Freshwater Aquariums, TFH Publications, 2005
- Dr. Herbert R. Axelrod, Aquarium Fishes of the World, TFH Publications, 1998
- Dr. Rüdiger Riehl and Hans A. Baensch, Aquarium Atlas Vol. 1, Publisher Hans A. Baensch, 1991
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