All fish / Loricariidae

Paraguay Twig Catfish

Farlowella paraguayensis

Also known as twig catfish, paraguay farlowella, stick catfish, whiptail catfish, farlowella, ファロウェラ, 小精灵竹节鼠

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This is a very slim armoured catfish with a long snout and a whip-like tail, coloured in browns that make it look just like a twig. People keep it for its strange shape and because it gently grazes algae and biofilm on wood, glass and plants.

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

Single, a pair or a small group

Diet

Herbivore: algae, biofilm, sinking algae wafers, blanched courgette and spinach, occasional small frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Paraguay and Paraná river basins (Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia)

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs on glass or smooth wood in the open and the male guards and fans them until they hatch. It has been bred in home aquariums, but rearing the tiny fry needs plenty of algae, clean water and patience.

Good to know

It is a slow, shy feeder that loses out to boisterous tankmates and can starve in new tanks without established algae and biofilm. It needs clean, well-oxygenated water and is sensitive to poor conditions.