African Bumblebee Catfish
Microsynodontis batesii
A pint-sized African catfish with bold juvenile patterns that transform as it matures.
About
Found in the rivers of Cameroon and Gabon, including the Ntem, Nyong, Sanaga, and several others draining that part of West-Central Africa, Microsynodontis batesii is a small mochokid catfish and, interestingly, the largest member of its genus. It is sometimes sold under the nickname "African bumblebee catfish" and occasionally mislabeled as Synodontis sp. 'Nyong', so it pays to know what you're looking at. Younger fish display a spotted or reticulated pattern that gradually breaks up into more defined barring as they approach adulthood, which can catch keepers off guard if they're expecting a consistent look. Compared to true Synodontis, the body is noticeably more compact, and the tail fin is rounded to only slightly forked rather than deeply cleft. The eyes are also fixed in the socket, which is a subtle but reliable ID clue. Behaviorally, this is a gentle, somewhat shy fish that does best with calm tankmates like African tetras, smaller dwarf cichlids, or mormyrids. It coexists fine with its own kind and can be kept in small groups without incident. The main caution is the acclimation period. Newly imported individuals can be fragile, so a slow and careful introduction is worth the extra effort. Breeding has not been documented in home aquaria.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with African Bumblebee Catfish
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the African Bumblebee Catfish get?
- The African Bumblebee Catfish reaches about 2–3.5" as an adult.
- What size tank does the African Bumblebee Catfish need?
- A minimum of 15 gallons is recommended for the African Bumblebee Catfish.
- What water parameters does the African Bumblebee Catfish need?
- The African Bumblebee Catfish does best with a temperature of 70–82°F, a pH of 6–7.8, hardness around 5–20 dGH.
- Is the African Bumblebee Catfish aggressive?
- The African Bumblebee Catfish is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the African Bumblebee Catfish eat?
- The African Bumblebee Catfish is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the African Bumblebee Catfish live?
- With good care, the African Bumblebee Catfish typically lives 5-8 years.