Care
The South American Bumblebee Catfish is known from swiftly flowing waters in the Turmero River basin. This secretive bottom-dweller has an attractive bronze and dark brown/black banded colour pattern, hence the common name. It requires a mature aquarium with a soft sand substrate and plenty of shady hiding places amongst crevices in driftwood pieces, narrow rocky caves etc. Although plants are largely absent from its natural habitat, they can be very useful in shading out bright lighting and providing additional hiding places. Robust species such as Java Fern and Anubias spp. are good choices, as they often cope well with moderate current, which South American Bumblebee Catfish prefer. This peaceful, gregarious species is best kept in groups of 5 or more, and is safe with most community fish; however, adults will predate on very tiny fish or small fry, so choose tankmates with care. Largely nocturnal, they will spend much of the day hidden, but can usually be coaxed out with bloodworms. Some aquarists like to add a blue moon light to the aquarium, that switches on just before the main lights turn off, so that they can view the natural behaviour of these catfish for a few hours during the evening. Regular partial water changes are essential as, like other riverine fish, this species is intolerant of the build up of nitrogenous waste within the aquarium. Not to be confused with the Giant Bumblebee Catfish (Pseudopimelodus bufonius) or the Asian Bumblebee Catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis), both of which grow much larger.
Feeding
Small meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, daphnia etc, along with a variety of catfish pellets/tablets. Feeding should take place at night or under blue moon lighting so that the fish feel safe enough to venture out and feed.
Breeding
This species has spawned in the home aquarium, but details are few and far between. Following a cool water change, well-conditioned fish deposit eggs in a dark crevice, and these are guarded until hatching by the male.
