{"product_id":"asian-bumblebee-catfish-pseudomystus-siamensis-freshwater","title":"Asian Bumblebee Catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#ECEFF1;border-left:4px solid #37474F;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComing soon.\u003c\/strong\u003e These are on their way to the store. The listing is live so you can read up now, and they will be available to order once they arrive.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E3F2FD;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAsian Bumblebee Catfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePseudomystus siamensis\u003c\/em\u003e) is a stocky, armored little bagrid in chocolate brown broken up by cream and gold banding, with a matching barred tail and a set of long, constantly working barbels. It is handsome, genuinely hardy, long lived, and full of personality once it settles. It is also nocturnal and a predator, which are the two things to understand before you buy one. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e while you plan the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#FFF8E1;border-left:4px solid #F9A825;padding:10px 14px;margin:14px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis fish eats small fish.\u003c\/strong\u003e A grown Asian Bumblebee reaches 4 to 6 inches with a wide mouth and hunts at night. Neon and Ember Tetras, Chili Rasbora, small rasboras, fry, and dwarf shrimp will disappear one at a time, and you will usually blame something else first. Stock it with tankmates too big to swallow, and expect to see it mostly after lights out.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eAsian, Not South American\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo unrelated fish are sold as \"Bumblebee Catfish\" and most of the care advice online is written about the other one. The \u003cstrong\u003eSouth American\u003c\/strong\u003e Bumblebee Catfish (\u003cem\u003eMicroglanis iheringi\u003c\/em\u003e) tops out around 3 inches and is a mild, largely harmless community fish. This is the \u003cstrong\u003eAsian\u003c\/strong\u003e species, \u003cem\u003ePseudomystus siamensis\u003c\/em\u003e, from the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, and it is a different animal: bigger at 4 to 6 inches, more thickly built, more territorial with its own kind, and considerably more predatory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you researched a bumblebee catfish and came away thinking it was a peaceful little community bottom dweller, you were probably reading about \u003cem\u003eMicroglanis\u003c\/em\u003e. Plan for this one on its own terms and it is an excellent fish. Plan for it as a nano-safe scavenger and you will lose tetras.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons for a single adult, 40 to 55 gallons if you want a small group. Floor space and sightline breaks matter far more than water volume.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaves are not optional:\u003c\/strong\u003e this fish wants somewhere dark and tight to wedge into during the day. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/malaysian-driftwood-freshwater-aquascaping-hardwood\"\u003edriftwood\u003c\/a\u003e tangles, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003echolla wood\u003c\/a\u003e, or a plain PVC tube all work. More hides means a bolder, less territorial fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 80°F, pH 6.4 to 7.4, GH 4 to 15. Undemanding and forgiving once established, which is a large part of the appeal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e fine sand or smooth rounded gravel. Those barbels are working tools and sharp substrate wears them down.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. Sinking foods dropped after the lights dim: frozen \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003ebloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e gel, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e. Feeding at night is the difference between a fed catfish and a hungry one hunting your tetras.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping more than one:\u003c\/strong\u003e possible, but they squabble over caves. Give each fish at least one hide of its own and break up the line of sight, or keep a single specimen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e stiff pectoral and dorsal spines lock outward and tangle in mesh nets. Guide it into a cup or bag underwater instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePseudomystus siamensis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAsian Bumblebee Catfish, Siamese Bumblebee Catfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBagridae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive, predatory toward small fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 4 to 6 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons for one, 40 to 55 for a group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 80°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6.4 to 7.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e4 to 15 GH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, sinking and frozen foods at night\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eActivity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eNocturnal, hides during the day\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCommonly 5 to 8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMekong and Chao Phraya basins, Southeast Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #BBDEFB;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJudge every tankmate by whether it fits in the mouth, because that is the only rule this fish follows. Good company means medium, robust, not bite-sized: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/boesemani-rainbowfish-melanotaenia-boesemani-freshwater\"\u003eBoesemani Rainbowfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-skirt-tetra-gymnocorymbus-ternetzi-freshwater\"\u003eBlack Skirt Tetras\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pearl-gourami-trichopodus-leerii-freshwater\"\u003ePearl Gourami\u003c\/a\u003e, larger barbs, and a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bushynose-pleco-ancistrus-freshwater\"\u003eBushynose Pleco\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yo-yo-loach-botia-almorhae-freshwater\"\u003eYo Yo Loach\u003c\/a\u003e sharing the floor. The armored \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/spotted-raphael-catfish-agamyxis-pectinifrons-freshwater\"\u003eSpotted Raphael Catfish\u003c\/a\u003e is a natural companion with the same night shift habits, provided each has its own cave.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat goes wrong: anything under about two inches is on the menu, so skip Neon, Ember, and Cardinal Tetras, Chili Rasbora, Celestial Pearl Danio, and shrimp colonies. Slow, long finned fish such as fancy bettas and guppies are a poor match because a nocturnal hunter will find them asleep. Large aggressive cichlids run the risk the other way. And if you keep more than one Bumblebee, cave disputes are the thing to design around, not fights in open water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-dark-rock-cave-aquarium-hide-bettas-shrimp-plecos\"\u003eHikari Dark Rock Cave\u003c\/a\u003e its daytime headquarters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-bloodworms-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Bloodworms\u003c\/a\u003e the after-dark staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/repashy-bottom-scratcher\"\u003eRepashy Bottom Scratcher\u003c\/a\u003e invertivore gel it will hunt down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-sinking-wafers\"\u003eHikari Sinking Wafers\u003c\/a\u003e easy sinking backup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/galapagos-cholla-wood-branches-6-inch-3-pack-shrimp-pleco\"\u003eGalapagos Cholla Wood\u003c\/a\u003e extra hides and sightline breaks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/estes-natural-aquatic-sand\"\u003eEstes Natural Aquatic Sand\u003c\/a\u003e barbel safe floor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #1E88E5;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen will these be in?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are on order and this page becomes buyable the moment they clear our quarantine. Everything here is accurate now, so you can get the tank ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it really eat my Neon Tetras?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, in time. It hunts at night and grows into a mouth that easily takes a one inch fish. This is the most common regret with the species. If small tetras are staying, this catfish should not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI never see mine. Is it alive?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlmost certainly, and probably well fed. It is nocturnal and spends daylight wedged into a cave. Feed after lights out and you will get regular appearances. Daytime confidence grows with age and plenty of hides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same as the Bumblebee Catfish I read about?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCheck which one. The South American \u003cem\u003eMicroglanis iheringi\u003c\/em\u003e stays near 3 inches and is far milder. This is the Asian \u003cem\u003ePseudomystus siamensis\u003c\/em\u003e, which grows larger and is more predatory. See the section above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, with planning. Give each fish its own cave and break up the sightlines. They squabble over real estate rather than fighting in open water, so a scape with plenty of hiding spots settles most of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe with my Bristlenose or Cory catfish?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdult armored catfish of similar size are generally fine. It is small, soft bodied fish that are at risk, not tank tough bottom dwellers that can hold their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49154235138267,"sku":"FW1-F9770","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/d9b0aecc-4c51-42c2-9043-37f1516ee335.png?v=1787044925","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/asian-bumblebee-catfish-pseudomystus-siamensis-freshwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}