All fish / Loricariidae

Rineloricaria quadrensis

Rineloricaria quadrensis

Also known as whiptail catfish, whiptail pleco, rineloricaria sp. quadrensis

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

This is a slim, flattened whiptail catfish from southern Brazil. Its body is covered in bony plates and its tail stalk is long and thin. It is mottled in brown and beige, which helps it blend in on sand and wood. Keepers like it because it is calm, unusual to look at and hardy in cooler subtropical tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

100 litres

Keep as

Can be kept singly or in a small group

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southern Brazil, coastal drainages of Rio Grande do Sul including the Lagoa dos Patos system

Breeding

Like other whiptails, males guard clutches of eggs laid inside tubes, caves or on flat surfaces. The male fans the eggs until they hatch, and this species has been bred in aquariums when given cool, well-oxygenated water.

Good to know

This fish comes from a subtropical region, so long periods above about 25°C should be avoided. It is easily confused with other brown Rineloricaria species, and these are often sold under the general name whiptail.