![]() Water Parameters:ĭue to its large size, Twig catfish needs an aquarium that is a minimum of 120 cm in length. Good tankmates are including species of Corydoras, Otocats, Rasbora, Tetra and Farlowella genera. Since it feeds slowly, it can get outcompeted by more boisterous fish like Danios for food. The male specimens can be territorial, but their disputes never result in any injuries.įarlowella vittata can do well in community aquariums with peaceful and non-aggressive tank mates. ![]() It is not very gregarious and can be kept either alone or in groups. It lays still on bogwood, branches or smooth surfaces of rocks. Twig catfish is a peaceful species that is inactive most of the daytime. They also develop tiny bristles along with their snouts when they are mature. The male specimens have broader snouts than the females. Although this species has a maximum lifespan of 15 years, it rarely lives so long in the aquarium due to its extreme sensitivity to poor water quality. It can grow up to 24 cm and has two rows of plates on its ventral area (belly). It can be identified by its long rostrum (snout) and the distinctive ventral plates. The species epithet is Latin for striped, a reference to the stripe along the fish.Twig Catfish, as the name implies has a twig-like appearance. vittata was described by the great American ichthyologist Dr. Several different species attain a considerably larger size and are only appropriate in much larger aquaria. The write (Byron) has had success using dried oak leaves which the fry will graze. The male guards the eggs after hatching, the fry are difficult to raise since they require very soft vegetable matter. Not difficult to spawn in very soft, acidic water and very dim lighting. Males have a broader rostrum (snout) and develop rows of bristle-like odontotes along it as they mature. Like most of the South American catfish, they are sensitive to chemicals and medications when irritating substances are present in the water they will frequently select a plant leaf or object near the surface and remain motionless with their rostrum protruding above the water in an attempt to gain oxygen, and an immediate partial water change should be undertaken.įarlowella differ from the other Loricaria fish in the positioning of the dorsal fin which is normally opposite the anal fin but on Farlowella it is behind the anal fin. They do not appreciate being moved, and once introduced to an aquarium should be left alone. They are believed to have a lifespan of up to 15 years their frequent demise in aquaria is likely due to their demand for stable water parameters and conditions, and they should only be introduced to an established aquarium containing algae. They move from surface to surface, usually with short "hops " swimming when necessary is achieved by body undulations and propulsion from the caudal fin. ![]() This fish is truly a camouflage expert among aquarium fish hanging or sitting motionless on a branch they are easily unnoticed, as illustrated in the photos below. A trio of Farlowella will easily keep a 90g aquarium free of common green and brown algae. And this is certainly one of the finest algae-eating fish, comparable to the common Otocinclus. ![]() The genus was named by Carl and Rosa Eigenmann (1889) in honour of the American botanist from Harvard, William Gibson Farlow (1844-1919), who specialized in algae plants. Both are identical in their requirements in the aquarium. gracilis by Sterba reproduced below shows the differences between the two commonly-available species. gracilis, but several authorities believe this is incorrect, and consider the fish offered as F. Most of the existing literature refers to these as F. Of the more than 30 known species of Farlowella found throughout South America, only two are regularly exported. The identification of this species is not a certainty. Soft (hardness below 10 dGH) and acidic (pH below 7.0) water, temperature 24-27C/75-80F. Length 24 inches but preferably 30-36 inches. As a treat, cucumber slices, kale and blanched spinach may be offered. Must be supplemented with vegetable-based tablet and pellet foods such as algae and spirulina wafers. Vegetarian algae (common green) and diatoms (brown algae) will readily be grazed from every plant leaf and object in the aquarium. May be kept singly or in groups male territorial disputes never result in injury. Slow feeding, it cannot have boisterous fish as tankmates. Occurs in areas of heavy vegetation and tangled roots along the banks of slow-flowing forest rivers and streams and in floodplains and bogs.Ĭompatibility/Temperament: Suitable for any soft and acidic water community aquarium with other peaceful and non-aggressive fish. Origin and Habitat: Columbia and Venezuela. Family: Loricariidae, Subfamily LoricariinaeĬommon Names: Twig Catfish, Stick Catfish
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |