Banjo Catfish
The Banjo Catfish is a curious, cryptic bottom-dweller named for its flattened, banjo-shaped body of mottled brown that mimics waterlogged leaf litter and wood. Native to the slow backwaters and flooded forests of the Amazon basin, it spends the day buried in soft substrate and emerges at night to forage. A fine sand or smooth soft bed is essential so it can bury without injury, along with leaf litter and shady cover. Thoroughly peaceful and easily outcompeted at feeding time, it should share the tank only with calm, non-aggressive species. It tolerates a wide temperature range from 20-26 C and neutral, moderately soft water. Feed sinking meaty foods after lights-out, such as bloodworm, blackworm, and sinking pellets, to ensure this slow, nocturnal carnivore gets its share.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 20 – 26 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 6 – 7.5 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 1 – 10 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 2 – 15 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 80 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 20 L — adds up with tank-mates |
“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.
Frequently asked questions
What size aquarium does Banjo Catfish need?
Provide at least 80 litres to keep Banjo Catfish in good conditions.
What water parameters does Banjo Catfish need?
A temperature of 20–26 °C, pH 6–7.5.
Is Banjo Catfish peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Banjo Catfish eat?
Its diet: carnivore.
How big does Banjo Catfish get?
Around 13 cm as an adult.
Is Banjo Catfish suitable for beginners?
Care level: intermediate.
Planning a tank with Banjo Catfish?
AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.
Fish from the same biotope
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