Description
Scientific Name: Pseudomystus siamensis Common Names: Asian Bumblebee Catfish, Siamese Catfish, Marble Catfish (Trade name) Origin: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam – Mekong River)
Physical Characteristics
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The Pattern: The body is a dark brown to velvety black, marked with distinct, irregular pale yellow or white bands. This high-contrast coloration gives it the “Bumblebee” or “Marble” nickname.
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Body Shape: It has a typical catfish shape but is relatively stout. It features four pairs of barbels (whiskers) around the mouth to sense food in the dark.
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The Fins: The dorsal (top) fin and pectoral (side) fins have sharp spines that can lock in place. Be careful when netting them, as they can get tangled in nets easily.
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Size: They grow to a manageable size of 5 to 6 inches (13–15 cm).
Behavior and Temperament
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Nocturnal: They are strictly night-active. During the day, they will wedge themselves into cracks in rocks or driftwood and refuse to move. You might rarely see them when the lights are on.
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The “Mouth”: Do not underestimate their appetite. They are predatory catfish. They will eat any fish that fits in their mouth, such as Neon Tetras, Guppies, or small Danios. They are best kept with medium-sized fish (like Gouramis, Barbs, or larger Tetras) that are too big to be eaten.
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Aggression: They are generally peaceful toward fish they cannot eat, but they can be territorial with other catfish if there aren’t enough hiding spots.
Care and Habitat
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Tank Size: A minimum of 20 to 30 gallons is required.
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Decor: You must provide hiding spots. Caves, PVC pipes, hollow driftwood, or rock piles are essential. If they don’t have a place to hide, they will become stressed and prone to disease.
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Diet: They are unfussy scavengers. They love sinking carnivore pellets, frozen bloodworms, and earthworms. Feed them just after the aquarium lights go out.
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