Banjo Catfish (Two Colour)

Two-Colour Banjo Catfish

(Bunocephalus sp.)

🌎 Origin

Native to slow-moving streams and river margins of South America, often found among leaf litter and sandy substrates.

📏 Adult Size

10–15cm

⏳ Lifespan

5–8 years with proper care.

🧠 Temperament

Extremely peaceful and very secretive.
A true ambush predator that spends most of its time buried in sand or resting motionless.

✔ Ideal for calm community aquariums
✔ Safe with peaceful tank mates
⚠ May eat very small fish or shrimp if they fit in the mouth

They are masters of camouflage and may “disappear” into the substrate for days at a time.

🏡 Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 80–100L+

• Temperature: 23–28°C

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Flow: Low to moderate

They thrive in:
• Fine sand substrate (essential for natural behaviour)
• Leaf litter and driftwood
• Dim lighting
• Plenty of hiding spots

Stable, clean water is important as they dislike sudden parameter swings.

🍽 Diet

Carnivorous micro-predator.

Feed:

• Sinking carnivore pellets

• Frozen bloodworms

• Brine shrimp

• Blackworms

They feed mostly at night, so ensure food reaches the bottom.

🐠 Tank Mates

Suitable with:

• Small to medium peaceful community fish

• Tetras

• Rasboras

• Corydoras

Avoid:

• Aggressive fish

• Very tiny nano fish or shrimp

⭐ Why Choose a Two-Colour Banjo Catfish?

• Unique flat “banjo-shaped” body

• Incredible camouflage colouring

• Low aggression

• Fascinating natural behaviour

A fantastic addition for aquarists wanting something different and behaviourally interesting in a peaceful setup.