Clown Squeaker
Synodontis decorus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 243 litres
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Species profile
Banjo Catfish
Bunocephalus coracoideus
Common names: Banjo Catfish, Banjo Cat, Catfish, Guitarrita
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 15 cm
Up to 15 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You keep shrimp you want to protect
A flat, brown, guitar-shaped catfish that looks like a dead leaf and buries itself in sand. Keep alone or in a small group in 87 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A flat, brown, guitar-shaped catfish that looks like a dead leaf and buries itself in sand. It barely moves by day, and it is peaceful with fish too large to swallow.
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 350–440 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 75–125 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 87 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 60 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- Low to moderate
- 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.
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
- Bolivia, Brazil, Peru, South America
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater Stream, Lake, Pond
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Bunocephalus
- Family
- Aspredinidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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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
Featherfin Catfish
Synodontis eupterus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C