Banjo Catfish

The Banjo Catfish is native to South America. With plenty of nicknames such as “guitarrita catfish,” and “burrowing catfish,” this unique species stands out for its odd, banjo-like body shape and reserved behaviors.

Often confused for a piece of tree bark, the fish prefers to live alone in slow-moving waters.

Five Banjo Catfish Facts

• It earned its name due to its body shape which resembles a banjo.
• These fish includes 43 different species– all in varying sizes and colors.
• They are slow-moving scavengers who will eat just about anything they can catch.
• These fish are one of the smallest varieties of catfish on the planet.
• This fish has heavily keratinized skin, making it rough and bumpy to the touch.

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name for banjo catfish is “Bunocephalus coracoideus” and “Aspredinidae”, but it is more commonly referred to as “banjo fish,” “burrowing catfish,” or “guitarrita catfish” in Latin America. Banjos belong to the order Siluriformes, which are more commonly known as “catfish.” Banjo catfish consists of 43 species. Their phylum is Chordata, which consists of well-known vertebrates such as other fish, birds, and mammals.

Evolution and Origins

The Banjo Catfish is native to the Amazon River basin and is commonly found in creeks, lakes, ponds, and rainforest streams, where it prefers to reside in the silty substrate, concealed beneath dense layers of leaf litter and fallen branches, remaining motionless and hidden.

The name of this fish derives from its body shape, reminiscent of a banjo, and it encompasses a total of 43 diverse species exhibiting various sizes and colors; they are characterized as sluggish scavengers that consume almost anything they can capture, making them one of the smallest types of catfish found worldwide.

At present, the Middle Triassic species Robustichthys represents the most recent shared ancestor of all documented catfish.

Species

These fish consist of 43 different species, all known for their unique body shape and small size. All banjo catfish dominate South American countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, and Bolivia. The average size of this fish is about 6 inches, with the largest species reaching up to 15 inches long. They tend to have a muddied coloring and rough skin texture which is typical for all 43 species.

1. Acanthobunocephalus nicoi
2. Acanthobunocephalus scruggsi
3. Amaralia hypsiura
4. Amaralia oviraptor
5. Aspredinichthys filamentosus
6. Aspredinichthys tibicen
7. Aspredo aspredo
8. Bunocephalus aleuropsis
9. Bunocephalus aloikae
10. Bunocephalus amaurus
11. Bunocephalus chamaizelus
12. Bunocephalus colombianus
13. Bunocephalus coracoideus
14. Bunocephalus doriae
15. Bunocephalus erondinae
16. Bunocephalus hartti
17. Bunocephalus hertzi
18. Bunocephalus knerii
19. Bunocephalus larai
20. Bunocephalus minerim
21. Bunocephalus verrucosus
22. Dupouyichthys sapito
23. Ernstichthys anduzei
24. Ernstichthys intonsus
25. Ernstichthys megistus
26. Ernstichthys taquari
27. Hoplomyzon atrizona
28. Hoplomyzon cardosoi
29. Hoplomyzon papillatus
30. Hoplomyzon sexpapilostoma
31. Micromyzon akamai
32. Micromyzon orinoco
33. Platystacus cotylephorus
34. Pseudobunocephalus amazonicus
35. Pseudobunocephalus bifidus
36. Pseudobunocephalus iheringii
37. Pseudobunocephalus lundbergi
38. Pseudobunocephalus quadriradiatus
39. Pseudobunocephalus rugosus
40. Pseudobunocephalus timbira
41. Pterobunocephalus depressus
42. Pterobunocephalus dolichurus
43. Xyliphius anachoretes

Appearance

Famous for its banjo-shaped body, this catfish variety has a few other interesting features that distinguish it from other types of fish. Its skin is heavily keratinized which gives it a rough texture and bumpy appearance. In addition to this, it tends to have a variety of different earth-toned coloring in its skin such as brown, yellow, and black. As a result, it is often confused for a piece of tree bark.

They also have distinctive wide and flat face which helps them burrow in sand and debris to hide from predators. Its eyes are small in comparison to the size of its face, making it one of the most unusual-looking catfish varieties. It is also one of the smallest catfish on the planet, measuring at under 15 inches in length.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

These fish belong to the larger family of catfish which are extremely common throughout the world. This specific variety heavily populates South American rivers, ponds, and streams. It can thrive in most warm, freshwater environments as long as the water is slow-moving. They prefer to stay in one location once they’ve made it home and do not feel the need to leave to breed. Banjos prefer bodies of water with plenty of sand, twigs, and other debris at the bottom for them to burrow in.

Predators and Prey

Well known for scavenging, banjos are not picky when it comes to eating. This fish will consume just about any prey that it can catch. Due to their slow-moving nature, they tend to stick with earthworms, bloodworms, and tubifex. However, they may also consume other small fish, birds, and other mammals around their habitat.

Common predators of this fish include larger fish, birds, and mammals that are able to find them. Since they are nocturnal and tend to hide for prolonged periods of time, they are one of the most difficult fish to catch.

Reproduction and Lifespan

In the process of spawning, banjo catfish will ejaculate an average of 200 eggs directly into the water. A male will then immediately fertilize the eggs and they will sink to the bottom in sticky, green clusters. It only takes a few days for the eggs to develop into larvae.

Within a week, the larvae will grow into juveniles and begin to develop coloring which will fluctuate until they are fully grown. Within one year, they are able to reproduce. Most full-grown fish enjoy an average life span of eight to 12 years in the wild.

Fishing and Cooking

Due to their extremely rough skin texture, small size, and difficulty to catch, they are not a common fish used for cooking. However, their unique appearance and peaceful nature have made them a popular pet for sale across the world.

This fish does well in community aquariums since it prefers to be a loner and can often be found burrowing at the bottom of tanks. They are commonly found for sale in exotic pet stores and are easy to care for. Banjos for sale as pets require an average-sized tank, plenty of sand, and minimal care.

Population

The population of banjo catfish is stable and has not changed much in modern times. This fish is not currently marked as endangered, nor do scientists predict it will be at any time in the foreseeable future.

1. tfhmagazine.com, Available here: https://www.tfhmagazine.com/articles/freshwater/the-banjo-cats
2. fishbase.de, Available here: https://www.fishbase.de/summary/Aspredo-aspredo
3. meetthepet.com, Available here: https://meethepet.com/banjo-catfish/