All fish / Loricariidae

Colombian Twig Catfish

Farlowella colombiensis

Also known as twig catfish, stick catfish, farlowella, colombian farlowella, whiptail catfish, ファロウェラ, 小枝鲶

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This very slender armoured catfish looks like a brown twig, with a long snout and a thin tail ending in a forked fin with long filaments. Keepers like it for its odd shape and calm habits, and it grazes algae and biofilm off wood, plants and glass.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Singly, in pairs or a small group

Diet

Herbivore: biofilm, algae, algae wafers, blanched courgette and spinach

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Colombia: Orinoco basin (Meta River drainage)

Breeding

Males guard eggs stuck to the glass or smooth wood, and spawning has been managed in mature, well-oxygenated aquariums with good flow. Raising the fry is tricky because they need a steady supply of biofilm and fine plant foods.

Good to know

It cannot compete with boisterous or fast-feeding tankmates and often starves in new tanks with little algae, so give it a mature, planted tank with wood and clean, oxygen-rich water. Several Farlowella species look alike and are often sold under the wrong name.