Freshwater
Catfish
More details
Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus)
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Pro
Description
Banjo Catfish are cryptic, nocturnal bottom-dwellers with a flat, leaf-like body and camouflaged coloration. Named for their banjo-shaped silhouette, they offer a fascinating, slow-moving contrast in aquariums and thrive best in peaceful, low-light tanks.
Difficulty Level
Intermediate Care
Region
Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Low-maintenance and peaceful, but requires a soft, dim environment and sandy substrate to mimic natural hiding behavior.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught, though aquarists have begun successfully breeding them. No major environmental concerns when sourced responsibly.
Origin
Widespread across the Amazon Basin, especially in Peru and Brazil, found in sluggish tributaries and floodplain leaf litter zones.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Their flattened body and mottled brown tones mimic dead leaves, making them nearly invisible against leaf litter. Their unusual body shape and motionless resting pose give tanks a mysterious and natural vibe.
Purpose
Acts as a low-activity scavenger that feeds on leftover food and helps maintain substrate cleanliness. Offers unique behavior and visual contrast in peaceful aquariums.
Importance
Their stealthy nature and ability to blend into surroundings offer insight into riverbed camouflage adaptations. Excellent species for biotope or observation-focused tanks.
Included Resources
Requires a soft sand substrate, driftwood, and leaf litter to feel secure. Low-flow filtration and subdued lighting replicate their natural habitat. Floating plants and shaded areas are key to reducing stress.
Best Use Cases
Ideal for South American biotopes, blackwater aquariums, and calm community tanks with gentle tankmates. Pairs beautifully with small tetras, hatchetfish, and dwarf cichlids in tranquil setups.
Conservation Context
Not under major threat, but habitat degradation in the Amazon and overharvesting of wild species remain concerns. Promoting captive breeding can reduce pressure on native populations.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Ember and neon tetras
• Pencilfish
• Hatchetfish
• Apistogramma species
• Peaceful shrimp and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: -4.2150° S
• Longitude: -69.9400° W
(Iquitos region, Peru — upper Amazon Basin)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -3.1186° S
• Longitude: -60.0217° W
(Manaus region, Brazil — central Amazon floodplain)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Low-maintenance and peaceful, but requires a soft, dim environment and sandy substrate to mimic natural hiding behavior.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught, though aquarists have begun successfully breeding them. No major environmental concerns when sourced responsibly.
Origin
Widespread across the Amazon Basin, especially in Peru and Brazil, found in sluggish tributaries and floodplain leaf litter zones.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Their flattened body and mottled brown tones mimic dead leaves, making them nearly invisible against leaf litter. Their unusual body shape and motionless resting pose give tanks a mysterious and natural vibe.
Purpose
Acts as a low-activity scavenger that feeds on leftover food and helps maintain substrate cleanliness. Offers unique behavior and visual contrast in peaceful aquariums.
Importance
Their stealthy nature and ability to blend into surroundings offer insight into riverbed camouflage adaptations. Excellent species for biotope or observation-focused tanks.
Included Resources
Requires a soft sand substrate, driftwood, and leaf litter to feel secure. Low-flow filtration and subdued lighting replicate their natural habitat. Floating plants and shaded areas are key to reducing stress.
Best Use Cases
Ideal for South American biotopes, blackwater aquariums, and calm community tanks with gentle tankmates. Pairs beautifully with small tetras, hatchetfish, and dwarf cichlids in tranquil setups.
Conservation Context
Not under major threat, but habitat degradation in the Amazon and overharvesting of wild species remain concerns. Promoting captive breeding can reduce pressure on native populations.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Ember and neon tetras
• Pencilfish
• Hatchetfish
• Apistogramma species
• Peaceful shrimp and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: -4.2150° S
• Longitude: -69.9400° W
(Iquitos region, Peru — upper Amazon Basin)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -3.1186° S
• Longitude: -60.0217° W
(Manaus region, Brazil — central Amazon floodplain)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Low-maintenance and peaceful, but requires a soft, dim environment and sandy substrate to mimic natural hiding behavior.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Occasionally wild-caught, though aquarists have begun successfully breeding them. No major environmental concerns when sourced responsibly.
Origin
Widespread across the Amazon Basin, especially in Peru and Brazil, found in sluggish tributaries and floodplain leaf litter zones.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Their flattened body and mottled brown tones mimic dead leaves, making them nearly invisible against leaf litter. Their unusual body shape and motionless resting pose give tanks a mysterious and natural vibe.
Purpose
Acts as a low-activity scavenger that feeds on leftover food and helps maintain substrate cleanliness. Offers unique behavior and visual contrast in peaceful aquariums.
Importance
Their stealthy nature and ability to blend into surroundings offer insight into riverbed camouflage adaptations. Excellent species for biotope or observation-focused tanks.
Included Resources
Requires a soft sand substrate, driftwood, and leaf litter to feel secure. Low-flow filtration and subdued lighting replicate their natural habitat. Floating plants and shaded areas are key to reducing stress.
Best Use Cases
Ideal for South American biotopes, blackwater aquariums, and calm community tanks with gentle tankmates. Pairs beautifully with small tetras, hatchetfish, and dwarf cichlids in tranquil setups.
Conservation Context
Not under major threat, but habitat degradation in the Amazon and overharvesting of wild species remain concerns. Promoting captive breeding can reduce pressure on native populations.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Ember and neon tetras
• Pencilfish
• Hatchetfish
• Apistogramma species
• Peaceful shrimp and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: -4.2150° S
• Longitude: -69.9400° W
(Iquitos region, Peru — upper Amazon Basin)
Region (B)
• Latitude: -3.1186° S
• Longitude: -60.0217° W
(Manaus region, Brazil — central Amazon floodplain)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Banjo Catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus)
Region
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