All fish / Loricariidae

Whiptail catfish

Rineloricaria capitonia

Also known as whiptail catfish, rineloricaria capitonia, whiptail pleco, twig catfish

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This is a large, flattened whiptail catfish with a long, thin tail stalk and mottled brown armour plating that camouflages it well on sand and gravel. It grows bigger than most whiptails and comes from cooler southern Brazilian rivers. Keepers of specialist loricariids like it because it is calm, unusual and rarely offered for sale.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

17 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Singly or in a small group of 3 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, bloodworm and other small frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Uruguay River basin, southern Brazil

Breeding

Like other Rineloricaria, the male probably guards eggs laid in a tube or crevice until they hatch. No captive breeding of this species has been widely reported, but related whiptails breed fairly readily when given caves and clean, well-oxygenated water.

Good to know

It needs cooler, well-oxygenated water with good flow and does not cope with warm tropical set-ups for long. It is easily confused with other whiptails, so check identification when buying.