How difficult is it to keep South American bumblebee catfish?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the ideal temperature for South American bumblebee catfish?

The ideal temperature for South American bumblebee catfish is 24〜28℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

How large does South American bumblebee catfish get?

South American bumblebee catfish typically reaches Up to 6 cm SL as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed South American bumblebee catfish?

South American bumblebee catfish feeds on: Mainly carnivorous (sinking prepared foods, frozen foods). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for South American bumblebee catfish?

The price of South American bumblebee catfish varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

South American bumblebee catfish

Beginner

Microglanis iheringi

A small catfish whose yellow and dark-brown bands recall a bumblebee. About 6 cm SL, it lives in rocky, gravelly streams. Not to be confused with the similarly named bumblebee goby, which is a goby.

Difficulty

Beginner

Temperature

24〜28℃

Size

Up to 6 cm SL

Diet

Mainly carnivorous (sinking prepared foods, frozen foods)

About

Microglanis iheringi, the South American bumblebee catfish, is a small pseudopimelodid catfish. FishBase gives its range as the Turmero River basin in Venezuela and a maximum of 6 cm SL. It inhabits fast-flowing waters over rock and gravel and feeds mainly on insects, especially ants. Its bold dark bands on a yellow-to-tan body recall a bumblebee. The similarly named bumblebee goby is a brackish-water goby with completely different classification and needs, so take care not to confuse the two when buying. Several Microglanis species look very alike, and other species may be sold under the same name.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Size of the South American bumblebee catfish

The South American bumblebee catfish grows to Up to 6 cm SL.

Temperature & humidity for the South American bumblebee catfish

The ideal temperature for the South American bumblebee catfish is 24〜28℃.

Hardy and easy to keep at 24-28°C in near-neutral water, it is a regular small catfish in Japanese aquarium shops.

Basic Info

Origin

South America (Turmero River basin, Venezuela)

Size

Up to 6 cm SL

Temperature

24〜28℃

Diet

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Microglanis iheringi Gomes, 1946

Authority databases: GBIF · GBIF · FishBase

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern

Not listed in the CITES Appendices (checked on Species+). Not designated under Japan's Invasive Alien Species Act, nor on the Ministry of the Environment's list of invasive alien species. Never release aquarium fish into the wild.

Sources: Species+ (CITES) / FishBase

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.