Banjo Catfish
Bunocephalus coracoideus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 87 litres
- Temperature
- 20–27 °C
Species profile
Asian Upside Down Catfish
Mystus leucophasis
Common names: Asian Upside Down Catfish, Sittang Mystus, Upside-Down Catfish
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 30 cm
Up to 30 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper with room for a large aquarium
Think carefully if
- You cannot provide about 432 litres for a fully grown fish
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A dark catfish that spends nearly all its time swimming upside down, like some African Synodontis. Keep alone or in a small group in 432 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A dark catfish that spends nearly all its time swimming upside down, like some African Synodontis. It is often sold small, but it grows to about 30 cm, and it can fight with its own kind.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Sexes can be hard to tell apart, although females are often rounder.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 860–1,300 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 425–650 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 432 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide caves, wood and shade, because many catfish are active mostly at night.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Usually most active at dusk and after dark, and it hides during the day.
Social needs vary, so see the notes for this species.
Can defend a favourite hiding place.
Check adult size before choosing tankmates, because a catfish may eat anything that fits in its mouth at night. It is likely to eat shrimp.
Water Parameters
Fairly tolerant of different water, if it is clean and stable. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Feed sinking foods, ideally after lights-out, so that it gets its share.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding difficulty
- Not commonly bred
- Parental care
- Unknown
Little has been recorded about breeding this fish in aquariums.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Myanmar, Southeast Asia
- Natural habitat
- River
- Aquarium contexts
- Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Advanced
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Mystus
- Family
- Bagridae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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Clown Squeaker
Synodontis decorus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Cowboy Whiptail Catfish
Lamontichthys llanero
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
Cuckoo Catfish
Synodontis multipunctatus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C