Fishkeeping - Caresheets - Banjo Catfish ()

Banjo Catfish
Alternative Name(s):
Scientific Name(s): Dysichthys coracoideus
Category: Tropical
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 15cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 120 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 24" x 18" x 18"
Water Temperature Range: 22-26°C
Water pH Range: 0.0-0.0
Water Hardness Range: 0-0 dGH

General Information:	Here's a strange looking catfish that you seldom see. Banjo catfish do look like a tiny banjo or 'guitarrita.' Banjo cats cost much less than most 'interesting' catfish. Banjo catfish are excellent hiders and have the colors and bumps that enable them to blend into nearly any tank decor. 'Bunocephalus' means bumpy head which makes them look like a flat, bumpy rock.
Tank Requirements:	See Minimum Tank Volume and Minimum Tank Size above
Diet Requirements:	Scavenger , fond of wormy foods and midge larvae, tubifex etc. Best left as the only scavenger species in the tank, its a slow night feeder. Will take softened pellets and flakes, easily outcompeted.
Compatibility:	Excellent with small peaceful fish over 1.5 cm, avoid housing with doradids, predatory catfish and cichlids who will uncover and damage the banjo's.
Recommendations:	Provide a loose small grain substrate of sand , fine gravel or sterilised leaf litter of at least 2 inches depth , preferably three. Plants to diffuse light, cover, caves, and bogwood.
Common Problems:	Starvation, injuries from digging fish, saprolegnia, fungus and bacterial issues, often fin loss in response to poor substrate cleanliness. Stress from lack of cover and high light levels.
Similar Species:	Several banjo species, some with long or "whip" tails. Ameralia, platystacus, and bunocephalichthys all have several representatives. Largest is about 25 cm.
Sexing:	Females grow larger and plumper. Sexing them matters very little unless you plan to breed them.
Breeding:	Spawns like cories but protects eggs. Often sloughs skin during or after mating, which often happens under the substrate.

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