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Banjo Catfish

Family: AspredinidaePicture of a Banjo CatfishBunocephalus coracoideusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough
Latest Reader Comment - See More
WHERE CAN I GET ONE?!?!?! every online store I go to is sold out or don't have them and I don't know any pet stores near fairfax county that have them. Can you give... (more)  Anonymous

   The Banjo Catfish is for the person looking for something unusual, and they truly have a body shape that resembles a banjo! They are a very peaceful fish and can be kept in any community aquarium.

   Banjo Catfish are compatible with all sizes of community fish, even the smallest of tankmates. They are hardy and adjust to a variety of aquarium conditions. Because the Banjo Catfish is a nocturnal, it feeds at night. It is also a burrower and prefers a sandy bottom and light vegetation.  It is a timid species and is not considered pretty, but its unique appearance has made it a favorite among fish keepers worldwide.

   The Banjo Catfish is a sedentary fish that seldom moves around much. They are often mistaken for dead and when you try to take them out, they swim away!

  Note: The Dysichthys species are easily confused with the Bunocephalus species, particularily the B. v. scabriceps . Both these species of Banjo Catfish are very similar in coloration and shape, however the Bunocephalus species have a much rougher grainier skin than the Dysichthys species we are describing here.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium


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Geographic Distribution
Bunocephalus coracoideus
Data provided by FishBase.org
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Actinopterygii
  • Order: Siluriformes
  • Family: Aspredinidae

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   Banjo Catfish belongs to the Aspredinidae family of fishes.The Banjo Catfish are from the Amazon river, as far inland as the area around La Plata.  It is reported to have originated in native Peru, where it is known as Guitarrita.

  • Scientific Name: Bunocephalus coracoideus
  • Social Grouping: Groups
  • IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

The Banjo Catfish is hardy fish and grows to a moderate size of about 6 inches. The name 'Banjo' comes from the similarity of the fishes shape to that of the musical instrument of the same name. It has an almost circular head with a long skinny torso and tail. The body of this fish has an absence of scales, but the dorsal fin has the characteristic catfish's sharp spines that can become entangled in nets. For this reason it is advisable to use a glass or plastic container or bag when transporting the fish. Some banjos will produce a fairly loud clicking sound by moving their pectoral fin spines back and forth.

  • Maximum Size: 6.0 inches (15.24 cm)

Fish Keeping Difficulty

  • Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy
  • Aquarist Experience Level: Intermediate

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are carnivores, the Banjo Catfish need protein foods. They will eat live foods such as bloodworms, earthworms, and tubifex. They may also eat frozen foods as well as flakes or tablets that have sunk to the bottom.

  • Diet Type: Carnivore
  • Flake Food: Yes
  • Tablet Pellet: Yes
  • Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
  • Meaty Food: All of Diet
  • Feeding Frequency: Daily - This fish is nocturnal and likes to be fed after the aqurarium lights are out for the night.

Aquarium Care

  • Water Changes: Bi-weekly

Aquarium Setup

  • Minimum Tank Size: 30 gal (114 L)
  • Substrate Type: Sand - Fine sand or sand gravel mix should be provided so the fish can burrow.
  • Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
  • Temperature: 68.0 - 81.0° F (20.0 - 27.2° C)
  • Range ph: 5.8-7.8
  • Hardness Range: 2 - 20 dGH
  • Brackish: No
  • Water Movement: Moderate
  • Water Region: Bottom

Social Behaviors

   They are a good community fish and can be kept with any size tank mates.

  • Venomous: No
  • Temperament: Peaceful - Peaceful and remarkably inactive. It appreciates hiding places and sand to burrow in.
  • Compatible with:
    • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
    • Peaceful fish (): Safe
    • Semi-Aggressive: (): 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: Threat - May tear up plants to provide spawning areas under the leaves.

Sex: Sexual differences

   Though both sexes look similar, a mature female Banjo Catfish can be recognized by her fuller and rounder belly. This species comes in two colors, almost black and brown. Males are usually darker that the females.

Breeding / Reproduction

   It is conjectured that the Banjo Catfish spawn in groups in the wild. 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.
   The breeding pair will lay 4000-5000 eggs on the sandy bottom, and usually in more than one spawning. After spawning, the parents should be removed as they will eat the eggs. After hatching, the fry can be fed rotifers and later tubifex worms. The fry won't eat flake foods or Daphnia.

  • Ease of Propagation: Difficult - Aquarium breedings are very rare. Spawning occurs in a group and the eggs must be removed or else the parents will immediately devour them.

Availability

   The Banjo Catfish is available occasionally.

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough. CFS.


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Lastest Comments on Banjo Catfish

Anonymous - 2012-01-05
WHERE CAN I GET ONE?!?!?! every online store I go to is sold out or don't have them and I don't know any pet stores near fairfax county that have them. Can you give me a website or address?

Click For Replies (1)
  • David Brough - 2012-01-26
    Maybe these are a seasonal fish. I noticed the same thing today... it is unusual to not find any atall!
Reply
Mikey V - 2010-03-14
First of all, GREAT SITE! I always come here first when considering a new fish. I just picked up 3 of these little banjos yesterday. They are so fun! The tank I placed them in has 6 serpea tetras and 8 zebra danios. And it's cycling. The tank is only a 29 gallon so I was looking for a smaller variety of catfish. These guys are small and very fun to watch! During the day they do indeed hide under the sand or gravel. But once the light goes out they spring to life and often patrol the tank as a group. Swimming everywhere not just the glass. Very fun to watch them torpedo down into the sand. My tank has very fine WHITE sand which works well with these guys. Making them easier to see and its easy for them to burrow into. At the fish store the group of about 20-30 were all under the same driftwood which leads me to believe they love being kept in groups. So I plan to get at least 3 more. They stay small and are very peaceful. I highly recommend!!!

Click For Replies (3)
  • Anonymous - 2010-07-07
    I am now learning that any small fish that dies in tank. Ends up in my banjos stomachs! I have had Black phantom tetra and a Zerba danio bodies disappear after they have died. Bones and all. I have no other explanation! lol
  • Lisa - 2010-12-20
    Good to know! We just got our son set up with a 55gal. tank and I think these Banjos would be the perfect addition...only problem is finding them in N. Iowa stores! Hopefully a local petstore will get them in stock soon! =)
  • Anonymous - 2011-09-26
    You can find them online but the avaibilty
Reply
Anonymous - 2011-06-13
Can I keep these wonderful catfish with Sorubim lima? What other fish could live with Banjos?

What fish can be kept with Sorubim lima?

Click For Replies (2)
  • Charlie Roche - 2011-06-14
    Per Animal World "Banjo Catfish are compatible with all sizes of community fish, even the smallest of tankmates. They are hardy and adjust to a variety of aquarium conditions. Because the Banjo Catfish is a nocturnal, it feeds at night. It is also a burrower and prefers a sandy bottom and light vegetation". I could not find a Sorubim Lima so do you want to tell me more about that kind of fish to check it out?


  • Anonymous - 2011-06-14
    Sorubim Lima
    Duckbill Catfish

    This is a member of the group commonly known as shovelnosed catfish. It is a nocturnal species that likes to stay hidden among plants and tree roots during the day, its black, white, and brown striped color pattern providing perfect camoflauge. It lies with its head pointing downward, poised and ready to pounce on any unsuspecting fish that passes by. During twilight hours it is more adventurous, and, still in the inverted stance, will stalk smaller fishes that are preparing to settle for the night.

    Size:
    Possibly the smallest of the shovelnosed catfish at 12 in (30 cm)-males and females.
    Diet:
    In nature, a carnivore that predates on smaller fish. Adult fish can be difficult to wean onto proprietary foods, but small specimens are more adaptable and will accept tablet food and earthworms.
    Distribution:
    Fairly widespread in the Amazon Basin.
    Water:
    Clean, good quality, soft to medium hard, slightly acid to slightly alkaline (pH 6.3-7.6), but will accept a wide range of water types. 73-86*F
    Decor:
    A sandy substrate (good for Banjos too) planted with broadleaved plants and furnished with tree roots or branches to create hiding places (also good for Banjos).
    Behavior:
    Likes to hide among tree roots or broadleaved plants; not a particulary active species. Although a predator, it is perfectly safe with fishes too small to fit in its mouth (Hmm, I don't think that a 12in Duckbill could swallow a 6in Banjo. Especially with the Banjo's pectoral spines. What do you think?).
Reply
Stanley Chubule - 2011-04-01
This catfish is very interesting because of the shape. Almost all my favorite fish comes from this book:
TOPHERO SON OF SMILODON by W.W. Ni

Reply
Marcus - 2009-03-15
My banjo catfish is developing some white algae-looking stuff under it's chin area. Is this something I should be worried about? Anyone have the same occurrence with their banjo, and if so, how did it go away, if ever?

Click For Replies (1)
  • marinus - 2011-03-31
    I have just got one this Tuesday and while I was there we saw some medication for ''fuzzy lip''. That's probably it so pick up some medication that have a pic. resembling that ''fuzzy lip''.
Reply
MM - 2008-12-18
I have two Banjo Catfish in a community 20 gallon tall aquarium with plants, rocks, driftwood, a cave and clay pellets as substrate.

Mine do very well in my tank and get along with my other fish as long as I can tell. It's hard to tell whether they eat some of my pygmy cories because I have a bunch and can't ever keep track of them.

They'll bury themselves but I can usually see the ridge of their back and tail sticking up through the gravel. They sometimes come out during the day to lay on a nice, soft bed of java moss.

They're pretty lazy fish. I feed mine Tetramin flakes, spirulina wafers (probably don't take it but my other fish do), tabs and shrimp pellets. I also give them thawed blood worms from time to time and they relish them.

Click For Replies (1)
  • ruan - 2010-08-25
    Just want to say that banjos love sand and it is a must they bury themselves in it and play.
Reply

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