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Bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi) — Pseudopimelodidae

Bumblebee catfish

Microglanis iheringi

The Bumblebee catfish (Microglanis iheringi) is a freshwater fish of the family Pseudopimelodidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The bumblebee catfish is a small catfish (Pseudopimelodidae) from fresh water of Venezuela and Colombia in northern South America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky, yellow-brown body with broad dark bands, like a bumblebee, and short barbels. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it shelters by day among stones and roots and searches for worms, insect larvae and small invertebrates at night. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bumblebee catfish?

The Bumblebee catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Bumblebee catfish live?

The Bumblebee catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bumblebee catfish get?

The Bumblebee catfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Bumblebee catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bumblebee catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hommel-dwergmeerval sourced
English name
Bumblebee catfish sourced
Scientific name
Microglanis iheringi
Family
Pseudopimelodidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Microglanis

More from the family Pseudopimelodidae

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