All fish / Loricariidae

Twig Catfish

Farlowella henriquei

Also known as twig catfish, farlowella, stick catfish, whiptail catfish, needle catfish, ファロウエラ, 小精灵枝鲶

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A very slender, stick-like armoured catfish with a long snout and brown colouring broken by a dark line along each side, which hides it well among twigs and plant stems. Aquarists keep it as a quiet, unusual algae grazer for calm, well-planted tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Singly, in pairs or a small group

Diet

Herbivore: algae, biofilm, blanched vegetables, algae wafers, occasional small frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: Paraná and Paraguay river basins

Breeding

Males guard eggs laid on smooth surfaces such as glass or wood, and they develop bristles on the snout when mature. Spawning happens in captivity now and then, but raising the fry needs plenty of algae and very clean water.

Good to know

Needs clean, well-oxygenated water and a mature tank with plenty of biofilm, or it can slowly starve. Avoid boisterous or nippy tankmates that outcompete it for food.