All fish / Loricariidae

Big-head Whiptail Catfish

Rineloricaria latirostris

Also known as broad-nosed whiptail, whiptail catfish, l010a, l-010a, red whiptail, rineloricaria latirostris whiptail, リネロリカリア・ラティロストリス, 宽吻小精灵

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This is one of the largest whiptail catfish, with a long, flattened body, a broad head and a fine whip-like extension on the upper tail lobe. Its brown, mottled colouring blends well with sand and wood, and keepers value it as a calm, unusual bottom dweller for larger community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

20 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Single or a small group with plenty of floor space

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: upper Paraná and São Francisco basins

Breeding

Males guard eggs laid inside caves or tubes and grow bristles on the snout when mature. It has been bred in home aquariums with cool, well-oxygenated water and suitable caves, though it is less often spawned than smaller whiptails.

Good to know

It grows much larger than the common whiptails sold alongside it, so allow a large tank with soft substrate. Prefers cooler, oxygen-rich water and should not be kept with fin-nipping or very boisterous tankmates.