Whiptail Catfish

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Scientific Name

Farlowella vittata

Min. Tank Size

50 gallons

Personality

Peaceful

Temperature

75-82°

pH

6.0-7.5/0-15°dGH

Size

6"

Diet

Omnivore

Breeding

Egglayer

Compatibility

Small peaceful Characins, Danios and other Catfish.

Whiptail Catfish

More commonly known as the Twig Catfish, the Whiptail Catfish is easily identified by its long snout. The males of the species exhibit bristles called odontodes on the snout while the snouts of female Whiptail Catfish remain smooth. These fish tend to have light brown bodies which are often striped in a manner that mimics the appearance of a twig. Whiptail Catfish are native to Columbia and Venezuela where they tend to inhabit flowing streams and rivers that are dense with vegetation and submerged roots.

Tank Set-Up

In the home aquarium, Whiptail Catfish prefer dimly lit tanks decorated with sandy substrate, driftwood branches and plenty of rock piles to provide cover. These fish thrive in highly oxygenated water and can be sensitive to poor water quality so adequate filtration and regular water changes are a must. This species of Catfish tends to be fairly inactive and largely peaceful in nature but it is not recommended for the general community tank because they can easily be outcompeted for food. These fish are best kept with smaller, peaceful tankmates such as Characins and Danios.

Feeding

Whiptail Catfish are primarily vegetarian in nature, feeding on vegetable matter. In the home aquarium, these fish should be offered plenty of fresh vegetables such as blanched spinach, shelled peas and fresh cucumber. This diet can be supplemented with Spirulina flakes or wafers in addition to small live and frozen foods like bloodworms and Daphnia.

Breeding

Under the right conditions, this species tends to breed easily in the home tank. Water in the breeding tank should be kept clean and adult fish should be conditioned on a diet of nutrient-rich vegetables like spinach and kale. Spawning tends to occur at night, after which the male of the species will guard the eggs and fan them with his fins until they hatch between 6 and 10 days later.