Bumblebee Catfish

Adults reach approximately 3 cm in length. Their coloration consists of orange-yellow tones with alternating dark markings. This coloring is precisely why it's called the “Wasp” (Bumblebee), which is also the translation of the Latin word vespa in its scientific name. The fish is characterized by a large head with several long barbels and a rather graceful, narrow body. Its fins are short, as is its tail. Sexual dimorphism is weakly expressed, and external differences between males and females are minimal.

Its origin is linked to Southeast Asia. Akysis vespa is considered an endemic species to the upper Salween River basin, located in the border region between Thailand and Myanmar. The natural habitat of this species consists of fast-flowing streams and rivers where the bottom is composed of sandy-stony substrates. The water in these bodies of water is usually clear and clean; only during the rainy season does a small amount of suspended matter appear. Plants are typically absent here, but a large amount of fallen leaves and snags accumulate on the bottom.

This peaceful and calm fish cannot compete with more active catfish species, so it's best to choose inhabitants of the water column or surface as tank mates. Excellent companions include neon tetras, other small tetras, danios, and rasboras.

For a comfortable existence of a group of 5–6 fish, the minimum aquarium volume is 40 liters. The setup can be quite simple: large boulders and snags placed on a sandy substrate are used as the main decorative elements. Since the Wasp Catfish is nocturnal, it prefers to hide in crevices between stones during the day, so it's important to provide such shelters. Otherwise, the fish may choose a less suitable place, for example, between internal equipment and the aquarium walls. Although aquatic plants are not typical of their natural habitat, their use is permissible for aquascaping. You can use both artificial plants and unpretentious live species such as Anubias, Bucephalandra, mosses, and ferns. Being inhabitants of flowing waters, the Orange Stone Catfish needs clean, oxygen-rich water. The presence of an internal current is also beneficial. These conditions are provided by a good filtration system. Regular aquarium maintenance should not be neglected, including weekly water changes of 30–50% of the volume with fresh water and timely removal of organic waste.

Feeding occurs at night. Their diet is primarily small zooplankton. In a home aquarium, it is recommended to offer live or frozen foods such as Artemia, Daphnia, and bloodworms. Over time, with regular feeding, they may adapt to dry foods in the form of flakes or pellets. It is advisable to feed the fish shortly before the aquarium lights are turned off.

In natural conditions, spawning begins with the onset of the rainy season. It is stimulated by a decrease in water temperature (approximately 7°C) and a change in hydrochemical composition towards neutral pH values. The incubation period for eggs is 4 days, after which the fry begin to swim freely after another 11 days. They grow quickly, reaching adult size within a month. Cases of successful breeding of Akysis vespa in home aquariums are rare, as special external conditions must be recreated to stimulate spawning.

Most health problems in fish often arise from unsuitable keeping conditions. Maintaining a stable and comfortable habitat is a key factor for successful keeping. If symptoms of illness appear, the first step is to check the water quality. If deviations are found, it is important to take immediate measures to eliminate them. If the symptoms do not disappear or worsen, medicinal treatment may be required.

When purchasing, choose active fish with clean skin without visible damage, sores, or white film. Since wasp catfish are nocturnal predators, they often hide in shelters in the store, so it is important to ask the seller to carefully lift the decorations to inspect the condition of the individuals. Avoid specimens with severely sunken bellies or signs of emaciation, as these fish may be sensitive to transport and keeping conditions. Keep in mind that members of the Akysidae family have venom glands at the base of their fin spines, so exercise caution when transferring them to avoid injury to yourself or the fish.