Banjo Catfish
Bunocephalus coracoideus
Aspredinidae
About
The banjo catfish is a flat, leaf-mimicking oddity from Amazonian forest creeks that spends daylight buried in sand with little more than its eyes showing. Bought on impulse for its shape, it is then presumed dead for weeks at a time. It is not: it simply does not move until the lights go out. Completely harmless to tankmates of any size, it is nevertheless easily out-competed at feeding time, so fine sand, leaf litter and a deliberate after-dark feed are what actually keep one alive rather than slowly starving.
Care
Fine sand it can bury in, leaf litter and shade, gentle flow, and food delivered after lights-out. It is a slow, sedentary feeder that quicker tankmates will beat to every meal. Peaceful with everything, but do not house it with boisterous bottom feeders that will monopolise the food. Vacuum the substrate gently at water changes, because it will be under there.
Diet
Nocturnal invertebrate feeder. Frozen or live bloodworm, blackworm and chopped earthworm dropped near where it rests; check it is actually eating rather than assuming it is.
Tankmate compatibility
Gets along with (84)
Possible with care (142)
Avoid (45)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
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Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Banjo Catfish need?
- A Banjo Catfish needs an aquarium of at least 70 litres (18.5 US gallons) with a footprint at least 60 cm (23.6 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Banjo Catfish need?
- Banjo Catfish does best at 20–28 °C (68–82.4 °F), pH 5.8–7.8 and a general hardness of 2–20 °dGH.
- Is the Banjo Catfish suitable for beginners?
- Banjo Catfish sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.