Asian bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis)

Scientific name: Pseudomystus siamensis Regan, 1913

The Asian bumblebee catfish (Pseudomystus siamensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Bagridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–26°C (68–79°F). Native range: Asia, Chao Phraya and Mekong basins. Reported from Maeklong, Peninsular and Southeast Thailand river systems.

Asian bumblebee catfish care at a glance

Temperature: 20–26°C (68–79°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7; Anal soft rays: 16 - 17. Irregular vertical bars on a yellowish to dark grey background (sometime plain dark body); hyaline caudal fin with or without a single black blotch on each caudal lobe; short barbels (maxillary barbels not reaching base of pectoral spine); body depth at dorsal-fin origin larger than head width; a high, rounded adipose fin.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Pseudomystus siamensis
Family: Bagridae (Bagrid catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 15.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 4 - 25 demersal
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Asia: Chao Phraya and Mekong basins. Reported from Maeklong, Peninsular and Southeast Thailand river systems.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)