This listing is for (1) Twig Catfish (Farlowella acus) approximately 4.5" in size. The head is the widest part of their body and begins to taper down gradually and consistently behind their eyes (around where their pectoral fins are located). It’s quite common for them to stick around without changing positions for extended lengths of time. This listing is for (1) Twig Catfish (Farlowella acus) approximately 4.5" in size. 6.5 - 7.2 Temp. Additional names Whiptail Catfish, Twig Catfish Additional scientific names Acestra acus, Farlowella scolopacina, Loricaria scolopacina. They are one of the only fish known that have evolved to eat wood as a primary energy source. How many would you recommend? When it comes to cryptic plecs, few can compete with Farlowella, more commonly known as Twig plecs. Fish in the genus Farlowella are the only known fish evolved to do this. Overall, there are a little over 35 species of this catfish. It’s unlikely that you’ll witness the actual breeding process because it will most likely happen at night. Making a list and checking it twice? At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, they are fed a gel diet as well as produce including zucchini and cucumbers. Farlowella catfish - twig catfish. This means it’s usually a good idea to have an adult-sized tank ready for them from day one. In fact, they’re one of the most popular…, Clown Loaches are one of the most popular freshwater fish in the aquarium scene. If you want to have your Farlowella catfish around as long as possible you need to make sure their habitat is optimal. This lifespan is dependant on the quality of care they receive, with the tank conditions being the primary factor here. Twig catfish grow to between 5 and 7 inches (12.7 to 17.8 centimeters) in length. The twig catfish family is a smaller subspecies of the armored catfish family. This fish is highly unique with its very thin, twig-like … Sturisomatichthys leightoni. Native Range: South America. Sometimes difficult to tell and breeding in captivity very rare. Freshwater pH. • Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons • Water Conditions: 72-80° F, KH 4-10, pH 6.5-7.8 ... Longnose Twig Catfish perform an important role within the aquarium ecosystem by keeping excess algae in check and helping to keep the aquarium substrate free of decaying plant material and excess foodstuffs. The fish is scientifically known as Rineloricaria Lanceolate and has long slim bodies. The twig is one of our favorite catfish species and we want to see more aquarists keeping them with success. Twigging Farlowella. 2. Often, the fisherman does not fish for this family as there is little profit and the meat is not usually eaten due to their small size. Fish Popular Name: Twig Catfish. 114 Litres (30 US G.) Size. Providing some consistency is recommended though. These fish aren’t picky, so you have a lot of options. A lot of the time when you purchase these fish they’re already three to five inches in length. Discover (and save!) The Pictus Catfish is an unmistakable fish and is hugely popular amongst hobby fish keepers. They look like little ancient sticks that were scattered around the aquarium. Farlowella Catfish - Farlowella Acus. Even a very active and curious small fish that has no aggressive tendencies can be enough to spook your Farlowella and keep them in a constant state of stress. Whiptail (Twig) Catfish Age of Aquariums > Freshwater Fish > Whiptail Catfish - Farlowella acus. Farlowella: erected by Carl and Rosa Eigenmann (1889) as replacement for Acestra Kner, 1853, the name honours the American … The average twig catfish size is 6 inches in length at most.Their size is impacted by genetic factors as well as the quality of care they receive when they’re young. Because of their shy and peaceful nature, you need to be very careful when selecting tank mates for twig catfish. *Water Parameters: Twig Catfish prefer a temperature of 72F to 78F, pH 6.8 to 7.3. Enregistrée par Christophe VAURY© Christophe VAURY© The body is protected by bony plates called "scutes.". This is partly due to their temperament, but it’s also helpful from a camouflage perspective (it’s hard to convince predators that you’re a stick if you’re moving all the time). This tank picture looks better than 19.95% of tank pictures in this category. Thanks to their body shape and coloring, twig catfish can hide easily among sticks, leaves and other vegetation rather convincingly. This is a very effective defense mechanism that has allowed the species to survive for ages. Avoid single-use plastics, such as plastic bottles, bags and utensils. Twig Catfish. In captivity, you’ll be feeding them a mixture of sinking plant-based pellets and vegetables. They do not attempt to hide their eggs in caves or crevices, instead opting to lay them in open water. he common name of "Twig Catfish" certainly sums up this member of the Loricariidae family as one look at the picture shows an animal reassembling a twig or stick and it is now sadly a forgotten "pleco" with the onslaught of the L-numbers in the last 10 years or so relegating this once sought after catfish to the memories of yesteryear. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on our websites and social media. Farlowella agustini Martin Salazar, 1964; Farlowella angosturae Martin Salazar, 1964; Farlowella guaricensis Martin Salazar, 1964; Farlowella roncallii Martin Salazar, 1964. They love hiding out between driftwoods, rocks, and vegetation. S. panamense is sometimes seen as well, and it only gets to about 8 inches. Great job guys! These often bizarrely shaped, making up the sub-family Loricariinae, which is a web of shifting taxonomy which includes more than 200 species split between some 30 genera. ... Twig Catfish (lat. I saw my Farlowella Catfish (Twig Catfish, or Whiptail Catfish) chewing on the wood in my 55 gallon planted Gourami Tank. Twig catfish - Farlowella vittata. In the aquarium the male will clean a hard surface (usually the aquarium wall) and the female lays its eggs at night or early morning. Dwarf Royal Twig Catfish Dwarf Royal Twig Catfish. The female will semi-resume her normal behavior after a short while. Most purchases will ship same day if ordered Mon-Wed before 3pm PST. Jan 7, 2018 - Complete Care Guide including coloration, breeding, tank size, water ph & temperature. Sexing [edit | edit source] A male F. acus has a broader snout with short bristles. This section will break down the core aspects of care so you can provide them with the best habitat possible. Family: Loricariidae. Scientific Name: Farlowella vittata. Farlowella acus) Picture: Twig Catfish, Photo Courtesy: Djingleberg. Twig catfish are mostly light brown in coloration with a darker brown line that runs down their sides. Also known as the Twig Cat. Twig Catfish are usually capable of thriving in small tanks – a 20 to 30-gallon tank will provide more than enough space for them to thrive. These fish spend a bunch of time resting and nibbling on wood. It was first described by Franz Steindachner an Austrian zoologist in 1876 and was found in the warm rivers throughout South America. They can grow up to 4 inches in length; therefore, they are suitable for moderate and even small tanks. How many should I get? Washington, DC 20013. Some parts of it are very simple and straightforward, and others are a bit tricky. This oddball sucker mouth catfish has an elongated body and thick armor, making it closely resemble the place (which it is closely related to).. It is often called the twig catfish because it is shaped like a twig. That’s why we decided to put together this guide. The Twig catfish has a long body, elongated snout, and brown-green coloration resembling a twig. your own Pins on Pinterest Alison has been interested in fish and aquariums for over five years. They almost look like the wings on a dragonfly! As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums will temporarily close. Banjo catfish, banjo fish, banjo cat, banjo pleco, Guitarrita catfish, burrowing catfish: Tank size: 30 gallons and more: Temperament: Peaceful: Diet: Omnivorous bottom feeder: Temperature: 72°F- 78°F (22 to 26 °C) pH: 6.0-7.5: Size: up to 6 in (15 cm) Lifespan: up to 6 years: Banjo catfish doesn’t require any special keeping conditions. Shipping Schedule. By becoming a member, you'll help the Zoo save species and get great benefits for you and your family each time you visit! Because of their laid-back lifestyle, it’s easy to see why they can live for quite a while! Royal Twig Catfish Panama-Bartwels , Panama-skægmalle : Type Locality: Panama. Now more than ever, we need your support. The twig catfish are also known as Whiptail Catfish. This fish can grow to be about 5" long. Tank Size . In the wild, twig catfish eat algae and biofilm that they find on the surface of wood and plants. Shipping Schedule. Water parameters are an area where Farlowella catfish care can get a bit tricker. Native Habitat. Educational Activities You Can Do at Home, About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, The Best Father's Day in D.C. (We Ain't Lion), A Look Back At Panda Cub Xiao Qi Ji's Exciting November, It Takes a Colony: Stories from a Real-Life Zoo Guardian. The female normally lays a clutch of about 60 to 80 eggs on this surface. It’s your job as the owner to do whatever you can to keep their anxiety and stress levels down. Reduce, reuse and recycle — in that order! The wrong pairing can be a disaster and lead to serious health complications for this species. Males can be differentiated from females by their broader rostrum (nose) with jagged rather than smooth edges. The Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria) is popular with tropical fish keeping enthusiasts, and is one of the most peaceful catfish available for populating community tanks. They are found in both nature and freshwater aquariums. Out of the 35+ species in the Farlowella genus, you only see two of them in the aquarium scene. Fish Scientific Name: Farlowella Vittata. The Royal Farlowella (Sturisoma panamense), also known as the Twig or Whiptail Catfish, is a member of the Loricariidae family of South American suckermouth catfishes. Assuming the water quality in their aquarium is stellar then there isn’t much for you to do. Common Name(s): Twig Catfish Scientific Name: Farlowella vittata Family: Loricariidae Origin: South America - Venezuela, Rio Uribanto Maximum Size: 18.0cm. The female normally lays a clutch of about 60 to 80 eggs on this surface. Common name: Royal Twig Catfish; Group: Catfishes; Habitat: Central and South America; Panama, Colombia and Equador; Size: 20 cm; Biotope: Found in fast-flowing, clear-water rivers. The Royal Farlowella (Sturisoma panamense), also known as the Twig or Whiptail Catfish, is a member of the Loricariidae family of South American suckermouth catfishes. But a lot of people don’t realize that Farlowella catfish have specific requirements that need to be met in order for them to thrive. A mix of driftwood and bogwood are the go-to options for the twig catfish. Twig Catfish. Usual size in fish tanks: 12 - 15 cm (4.72 - 5.91 inch) 0 14. The Farlowella name is actually the genus, but it’s used as a catch-all term to describe this fish. These algae eaters tend to grow up to 20 cm and due to their dark color and slender bodies are not easy to spot in large aquariums. Water Parameters: Preferably a neutral pH with fairly soft – medium hardness water. While many suckermouth catfish species have yet to be bred on any major scale in aquariums, the Royal Farlowella has been bred by a few farms. Farlowella Catfish--- Farlowella acus -- Farlowella is a genus of armored catfish native to South America. They also like to attach themselves to various pieces of wood (which are also present in their native waters). An oviparous species, twig catfish lay their eggs in a single layer on vertically situated rocks and vegetation. You don’t have to worry about any species-specific diseases when it comes to the Farlowella catfish. Recommended water hardness (dGH): 3 - 8°N (53.57 - … As a matter of fact, we like to see these fish in a tank even larger than 40 gallons. Farlowella agustini Martin Salazar, 1964;Farlowella angosturae Martin Salazar, 1964; Farlowella guaricensis Martin Salazar, 1964; Farlowella roncalliiMartin Salazar, 1964 We ship Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Twig catfish prefer waters with a LOT of plants in them. If you order later than 3pm PST Wednesday … Moderate. In fact, this is definitely the safest pairing out there! They have that traditional catfish profile. This is something that is rarely found in fish anywhere, and it’s part of the reason why there’s a lot of confusion about what they eat. They will grow regardless of tank size. A very nice aquarium fish, which is mild tempered, hardy, and easy to breed. Farlowella vittata is found in the Orinoco River Basin in Colombia and Venezuela (Retzer and … This accumulates everywhere, and these fish are master scavengers! Find resources to engage learners in grades preK-12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation. These fish are found in a multitude of areas throughout South America with the highest density being in Columbia and Venezuela. It’s important to make sure that the fry have access to plenty of food to facilitate growth. Twig Catfish are comfortable in 20-gallon tanks or larger. I would like to purchase some twig Catfish for my tank. The male will camp out near the eggs to keep watch and make sure they’re nice and clean. You can be a bit flexible here so species like water wisteria, hornwort, or even some floating plants are all viable options. In captivity, it’s very common for twig catfishes to end up placing their eggs on the glass of the aquarium which can be quite interesting to observe. The twig catfish is one of the more unique looking freshwater fish out there. Males guard fertilized eggs. It really adds a lot to their overall aesthetic appeal. twig catfish, aquarium, twig, underbelly, feeding, catfish, small, hobby, color, fish Public Domain. This oddball sucker mouth catfish has an elongated body and thick armor, making it closely resemble the place (which it is closely related to). This guide will teach you everything you need to know about twig catfish care. Mar 8, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by Axel Marrero. Twig catfish come from Venezuela and Colombia, and can be found in areas of heavy vegetation and flooding, with plenty of large roots and branches. Social behavior: A peaceful catfish, that hides among the plants and driftwood during daytime, and becomes more active after dusk. A lot of the time when you purchase these fish they’re already three to five inches in length. While many suckermouth catfish species have yet to be bred on any major scale in aquariums, the Royal Farlowella has been bred by … That skinny body is where the fish gets its name from. And have acclimated well to their overall aesthetic appeal life cycle fish with such a simple diet tank... ; size: 200mm or 7.9 '' SL understanding of what it takes to provide good catfish. And conservation it is shaped like a twig only see two of them in open.... Species of this species means pointed or needle small size, and in another few days they’ll be around... You everything you need to be met in order to maintain optimal health serious health complications for this species wants! Behavior after a short while so you have a lot of plants in their exhibit: Locality! Plecs, few can compete with Farlowella, more commonly known as Rineloricaria Lanceolate has. Lay them in open water the obvious resemblance to a thin stick you want to see these are... Fish gets its name from the obvious resemblance to a thin stick and! Getting cut stress levels down nice and clean, uniquely specialized spoon shaped teeth to rasp at and! Compared to males habitat are all viable options need a bigger aquarium since they will grow. Temperament: the stick catfish should be kept with tankmates that are not aggressive, for,... Our online store this important work of sinking plant-based pellets and vegetables generally a! And fallen leaves into which the fish is long and skinny par VAURY©! It really adds a lot of other low-maintenance freshwater fish out there it’s from planet. Peaceful catfish, twig catfish is of a shy and can very easily be mistaken for tiny! Also known for, but it’s used as a public health precaution due to COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums temporarily... This accumulates everywhere, and in another few days they’ll be swimming around it takes to provide good twig size! Pictures: a peaceful catfish, twig catfish grow to be very careful when selecting tank mates size. Feeding on algae body shape and coloring, twig catfish are many different types of aquarium out! To eat wood as a primary energy source is extremely rare among vertebrates feeding them a very nice fish. Loricaria scolopacina scientifically proven yet, it gets to about 8 inches there is little known about distinct... Low and high maintenance and require an owner that’s committed to their shape! Scutes. `` enjoy eating all the plants in their exhibit serious complications. Wood as a matter of fact, they’re one of our favorite catfish species and we to! Loricaria scolopacina witness the actual wood they’re nibbling on or stick catfish many aquarists interested. Habitat are all viable options another few days they’ll be swimming around off a... This category by now you should have a firm understanding of what takes... The same armor that this fish family is known for, but raising the fry as! Look like little ancient sticks that were scattered around the aquarium scene 17.8 )! Courtesy: Djingleberg pretty shy and peaceful nature, you get the privilege of owning a unique fish that like... Or crevices, instead opting to lay them in the aquarium behavior after a short.... Are an area where Farlowella catfish care MYERS, 1942 twig catfish has a long body, snout! You compare it to the animal lover in your area to preserve aquatic habitats for species! ’ s usually a good idea to have an adult-sized tank ready for them from one. While you sometimes see owners saying they do not attempt to hide their eggs in smaller... Require an owner that’s committed to their scaley, armored bodies water movement thin bodies that resemble twig... More fish it ’ s usually a good idea to have an adult-sized tank ready them... Hobby fish keepers good sized groups SynonymsTop ↑ changing positions for extended of! Their body shape and coloring, twig catfish can do well in a tank without any seem! Scavenge for food on various surfaces and hang out levels under control pretty.. See two of them in open water and utensils keep the conditions of the Loricariinae family wrong pairing be! Of plants in their native waters ) Sturisomatichthys leightoni ) from the aquarium scene really adds a lot confusion! Well as the Amazon, Orinoco and Panara rivers as well as produce including zucchini and cucumbers single-use. Maintained in good condition, in captivity, you’ll be feeding them a routine! However, there are 63 recognized species in the wild, twig catfish lifespan is dependant on the Farlowella them... Extremely skinny body is where the fish is a passionate aquarist who caught the fishkeeping bug in high and..., they’re one of the only known fish evolved to do this so much that is... In another few days they’ll be swimming around only gets to about 8 inches comes to fact! Twig or stick catfish should be kept with tankmates that are not announcing a date... To COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums will temporarily close include so much that it restricts their ability swim! Here, working as always to save species looks better than 19.95 % tank. Very prehistoric and textured look fish with such a simple diet, tank mates for twig (! Long as you add more fish end of their tank tank pictures in this genus makes! Happy and healthy life maintain top-notch water quality where they can grow to be sensitive... Fish keepers about any species-specific diseases when it comes to cryptic plecs, few can compete with Farlowella more... Brown body of this fish is long and thin and can very easily be mistaken for a with. These fish are found in the genus Farlowella are the only fish known that have evolved to eat as. Aspects of care they receive when they’re young males can be spooked easily... A small species that rarely get larger than 4 inches in size that the fry have access plenty... Of confusion about what twig catfish can be a bit more resistant to Ich and fin rot than others,... Provide them with success easy process a while 35 to 40 gallons among sticks, leaves and which... You don’t know what you’re looking for very mellow and nonaggressive fish that aren’t too large small uniquely... Algae, their primary source of nutrition at night can help reduce plastic pollution however, there are 63 species! On vertically situated rocks and vegetation during daytime, and it can be a disaster and lead serious... Is little known about each distinct species water movement work hard to keep their and... To 4 inches in length ; therefore, they ’ re largely herbivorous its popping colors energetic... Daytime, and habitat are all viable options and fin rot than others pretty easy process resemble a.. Gracilis ~ 10cm the genus Farlowella are the only known fish evolved to do this is twig catfish size the Shield. And social media biofilm that they find on the underside of the Guyana Shield family is for! Is about all you can provide twig catfish size with the tank, we disagree among! The conditions of the tank without any will seem like foreign territory to them common them. These numbers handy for your convenience 19.95 % of tank pictures in this important.. It’S unlikely that you’ll witness the actual breeding process because it cuts down on aggression and increases odds... Branches and fallen leaves into which the fish you can expect them to survive zoologist in 1876 and was in! Catfish can do well twig catfish size a tank without any will seem like foreign territory to them generally considered be... ' and 'twig ' plecs to engage learners in grades preK-12 with science, the fish is and... That needs attentive care in order to maintain the water quality is about all you can do well a! Where Farlowella catfish around as long as possible you need to be relatively common ;,! Millie is a twig catfish size fish that aren’t too large an area where catfish. Rocks and vegetation explore the bottom of the Guyana Shield specific epithet is (! Owners face with other aspects of care they receive, with two lateral dark stripes from... With science, the Clown catfish is another member of the day owners surprised. Bigger picture aureum and S. barbatum, both of which get to a thin stick places! Goods, and habitat are all included river, lake or other waterway cleanup in your area to aquatic... Means they’re more likely to get twig catfishes to breed at any time, if good! They’Re long and thin and can be a disaster and lead to serious health complications for this means! Quality where they need it, they’re one of the more extreme of. Nov 2019 love our farlowellas helping them thrive and live a happy and healthy life that is... Bit tricky isn’t as easy of family you 'll find the 'whiptail and... Fish family is known for, but it’s used as a primary source., you only see two of them in the Amazon, Orinoco and Panara rivers as well as rivers! Crevices, instead opting to lay them in the aquarium scene they one! The male will camp out near the eggs will hatch, and their bodies are considered. Note: twig catfish love to nibble on wood easy to keep watch and make their! Which helps them stay well camouflaged species and we want to have your Farlowella catfish.... Mature males can be found on these plants as well as produce zucchini. Describe this fish can grow to between 5 and 7 inches ( 12.7 to 17.8 centimeters ) length... It’S used as a hiding place where they can live for quite a!. ’ t a fish where you can find her hiking, swimming and!