All fish / Loricariidae

Royal whiptail catfish

Spatuloricaria sp. / Rineloricaria altipinnis

Also known as high-fin whiptail, sailfin whiptail, royal whiptail, whiptail catfish, l-number whiptail, ロイヤルファロウェラ, 高鳍鞭尾异型

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A slim, flattened whiptail catfish with a tall, sail-like dorsal fin and a long filament on the upper tail lobe, patterned in sandy brown with darker saddles. It is kept for its unusual shape and calm nature, and it suits a sandy community tank with gentle current.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

15 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

6 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 frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin, Peru (Ucayali and Marañón drainages)

Breeding

Males guard eggs laid in caves or tubes, fanning them until they hatch, much like other Rineloricaria species. Captive spawning has been reported but is less common than in smaller whiptails.

Good to know

This species is poorly documented, so care figures are based on related Rineloricaria whiptails; it needs good oxygen, soft substrate and should not be kept with fin nippers or rough bottom fish.