All fish / Loricariidae

Cadea's Whiptail Catfish

Rineloricaria cadeae

Also known as cadea whiptail, whiptail catfish, l-number whiptail, rineloricaria cadae, cadeae whiptail, twig catfish, リネロリカリア・カデアエ, 卡氏鞭尾鲶

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A slim, flattened whiptail catfish with a long tail stalk and a mottled sandy brown body that blends into sand and leaf litter. It is kept as a calm, hardy bottom dweller that tolerates cooler subtropical water and suits community tanks with peaceful fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Pair or small group of 3 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking wafers, blanched vegetables, bloodworm, brine shrimp and biofilm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, lagoa dos Patos and Guaíba basins

Breeding

A cave spawner in which the male guards and fans the eggs inside a tube or crevice until they hatch. It breeds fairly readily in captivity when given tubes and good water quality, though the fry need fine foods and clean conditions.

Good to know

Comes from subtropical waters, so avoid keeping it permanently warm; it is easily confused with other Rineloricaria species sold under the generic whiptail name.