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Banjo catfish, or the guitarrito of the Aspredinidae family, is indigenous to the Amazon basin region. The name “banjo catfish” is even used to identify all the family’s 43 species and not just this one individually. Described in 1874 by Cope, the first part of its scientific name, “Bunocephalus” means bumpy head in English, absolutely justifying its appearance. They also appear long and slender, just like a guitar, no wonder their name banjo.
| Scientific Name | Bunocephalus coracoideus |
| Other Names | Guitarrito, two-colored banjo catfish, bicolor banjo catfish |
| Origin | In the creeks and ponds of Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil |
| Type | Freshwater |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern (by the IUCN) |
| Behavioral Characteristics | Peaceful, adaptable, but a little inactive |
| School Size | 5 – 6 |
| Physical Traits (What do they look like) | Wide head; a long, slender body that remains compressed laterally covered with projections resembling warts, arranged horizontally; small eyes; prominent pectoral fins; long tail |
| Scales | They lack scales |
| Colors | Light tan base, brown splotches on its tail; light-colored dots covering its entire body |
| Size (How big do they get) | Small; 15.01 cm (5.9 inches) |
| Lifespan | 8 – 12 years |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Present; though males and females are closely similar, the latter have a rounder and fuller belly |
| Probable Diseases | Skin problems since they lack scales |
| Approximate Price (How much are they for) | $ 7 – 10 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Tank Size | 18 gallons (68 liters) |
Water Parameters
| pH Level | 6.0 – 8.0 |
| Temperature | 75° – 82° F (24° – 28° C) |
| Hardness | 5 – 9 dGH |
| Aquarium Water Flow | Slow |
Tank Ambience
| Lighting | Dim and subdued |
| Substrate Type | Fine sand and gravel |
| Tank Mates | Compatible with: Tetras, dwarf cichlids, other peaceful catfish species Incompatible with: Big and aggressive species like those belonging to the cichlid and tang family They also do not do well when kept with invertebrates like shrimps, snails, and crabs |
| Suitable Position in the Tank | Bottom |
Feeding
| Diet (What do they eat) | Frozen or live meaty food like daphnia, tubifex, and bloodworms; flakes, and pellets |
| Frequency | 2- 3 times a day |
Yes, the banjo catfish does play dead, lying still at the bottom of the aquarium, not moving at all. These fish adopt this technique as a part of their defense mechanism to save themselves from predators.
Though a freshwater fish, most of the banjo catfish species can thrive in brackish water too. When keeping them in salt water, ensure that the water’s specific gravity level is adjusted well.
