Two Rayed Banjo Catfish - (Amaralia hypsiura)

🐟 Two Rayed Banjo Catfish – (Amaralia hypsiura) – Rare South American Freshwater Catfish

The Two Rayed Banjo Catfish (Amaralia hypsiura) is a rare and fascinating freshwater catfish species from South America, belonging to the family Aspredinidae. Known for its flat, leaf-like body, mottled camouflage pattern, and distinctive forked caudal fin with two elongated rays, this species is perfectly adapted for blending into sandy or muddy substrates. A true oddball fish, it spends much of its time buried, waiting to ambush prey, making it a unique addition for specialty catfish keepers and oddball collectors.

🔎 Quick Facts – Two Rayed Banjo Catfish (Amaralia hypsiura)

• 📛 Common Name: Two Rayed Banjo Catfish
• 🔬 Scientific Name: Amaralia hypsiura
• 🌍 Origin: Amazon and Orinoco River Basins – South America
• 🎨 Appearance: Flat, leaf-shaped body with mottled brown and tan pattern; forked tail with two elongated rays
• 📏 Max Size: 6–8 inches (15–20 cm)
• 💎 Availability: Rare; highly sought after by oddball and catfish enthusiasts

😇 Behavior & Temperament

• 🤫 Extremely secretive; spends most of its time buried in substrate
• ⚔️ Predatory toward small fish and invertebrates
• 🐟 Best kept in species-specific or oddball community setups with similarly sized tankmates

🏠 Aquarium & Tank Requirements

• 📦 Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
• 🪵 Fine sand or soft substrate for burrowing
• 🪨 Driftwood, leaf litter, and shaded areas for natural cover
• 🌊 Low to moderate water flow with excellent filtration

💧 Water Parameters – Two Rayed Banjo Catfish Care

• 🌡️ Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• ⚗️ pH: 6.0–7.5
• 💧 Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water

🍽️ Diet – Carnivorous

• 🐟 Live or frozen bloodworms, blackworms, and brine shrimp
• 🦐 Small pieces of fish or shrimp
• 🚫 Avoid keeping with small tankmates that can be eaten

📋 Two Rayed Banjo Catfish Overview Table

✨ Highlight:
The Two Rayed Banjo Catfish is a rare, cryptic predator with unique camouflage and burrowing behavior — a must-have for serious oddball fish collectors.