Banjo Catfish

Looks how to spot one

Flattened, scaleless banjo-shaped body

A wide, flat head and a thin tail give it the outline of a banjo or small guitar seen from above. Its rough, mottled skin makes it look just like a dead leaf on the bottom.32

Personality what they are like

Gentle and secretive, it lies still under leaves or sand by day and comes out after dark.32

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Largely inactive and needs little swimming space; moves with a jerky motion by pushing water from its gill covers.31

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Use fine sand or soft gravel it can bury into, plus leaf litter. Like other banjo catfish it now and then sheds its skin, which is normal.13

Home where they are happiest

Tropical water of about 20 to 28 C, pH roughly 5.8 to 8.0 and hardness 2 to 20 dGH, in a tank of at least 60 to 80 cm long.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Unfussy: bloodworm, earthworms and sinking foods, given after lights out so it gets its share.31

Company who they like around

Gets along with its own kind and small peaceful fish such as tetras, dwarf cichlids and other gentle catfish; can be kept singly or in groups.3

The story where it all began

Edward Drinker Cope described the species in 1874. Its local name guitarrita, 'little guitar', reflects its shape, and it has become a popular oddball in the aquarium trade.132

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 5 August 2020)1

Taxonomy

Described by Cope in 18741

Family

Aspredinidae (banjo catfishes)1