All FishesBagridaePseudomystus  |  | 

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Scientific Name Pseudomystus siamensis  (Regan, 1913)
Common Names Asian Bumblebee Catfish
Humlebimalle (Denmark), Siamese Barred Catfish, Siamese Catfish, Siamesischer Ringelwels (Germany)
Type Locality Bangpakong River, Chao Phraya basin, Thailand.
Synonym(s) Leiocassis siamensis
Pronunciation SUE doh MIST uss - sigh ah MEN siss
Etymology From the Greek pseudos, meaning lie, and mystus, a genus of bagrid catfishes. In reference to the overall similarity of the two genera. Named after its then country of origin Siam (know today as Thailand).
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 150mm or 5.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Members of the bagrid genus Pseudomystus are small- to mid-sized freshwater catfish endemic to Southeast Asia.Pseudomystus are commonly found in swamps and rivers throughout Southeast Asia. They can be differentiated from Leiocassis by a relatively short snout and a subterminal mouth. Many Pseudomystus have a color pattern of contrasting vertical bars or blotches.

Quite distinctive within its family, this species can be confused with the various South American bumblebee catfish from the family Pimelodidae. All Bagrids, the Asian bumblebee included, have a matched pair of nasal barbels which originate slightly forward of the eyes and tend to run almost vertically upwards. The caudal fin is clear to yellowish with variable blotches in the twin lobes.
Sexing Females are more deeper bodied in comparison to the more slender males.
General Remarks Intensity of colouration varies with size, age and possibly gender.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Asia: Chao Phraya and Mekong basins. Reported from Mekong, Peninsular and Southeast Thailand river systems.
Thailand Waters, Chao Praya (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Mekong (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Thailand Waters, Peninsular Thailand Waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
pH 5.8 - 7.8
Temperature 20.0-26.0°C or 68-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Appears to prefer acidic, softer water but is truly hardy and adaptable in captivity.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding A carnivore; this species eats insects and small aquatic crustaceans in the wild but will adapt to most prepared foods easily. Feeding will initially be at night but this nocturnal species can be ''trained'' to eat during the day. User data.
Furniture An totally dark cave is required, sized to suit the fish. Long black PVC pipes are ideal, the fish also prefers wood to stone.
Compatibility Territorially aggressive to its own kind or similar catfishes although more spacious tanks with plenty of hiding places can house a group of these fish. Tell tale croaking noises through the night belie nocturnal disputes and should prompt the separation of waring faction before too much damage is done. Larger individuals will eat small fish (usually at night).
Suggested Tankmates Ideal fish for the active, large Cyprinid tank. Due to its nocturnal feeding habits it suits most American cichlid tanks too, but fry will be eaten.
Breeding Only a single documented captive spawning report exists - see Shane's World article. Reports indicate the fishes spawn during the rainy season in the wild, the young being found in fishermens nets around August.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 8) v. 11 (no. 66), pp 550.
Registered Keepers There is but a single registered keeper, view all "my fish" data.
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Last Update 2019 Sep 22 08:01 (species record created: 2001 Oct 27 00:00)