All fish / Loricariidae

Lyre-tail Sturisoma

Sturisoma lyra

Also known as lyre sturisoma, whiptail catfish, royal whiptail, sturisoma lyra, l-number whiptail, twig catfish, スタurisoma・リラ, 琴尾鲟身鲶

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A long, slim whiptail catfish with a flattened body, a tall dorsal fin and a tail whose upper and lower rays stretch into long filaments. It has a dark stripe running along each side of a pale brown body. Keepers like it for its unusual shape, calm nature and its habit of grazing algae from glass and wood.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly, in a pair or in a small group

Diet

Herbivore: algae wafers, blanched vegetables such as courgette and spinach, plus some frozen bloodworm and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin: Peru, Bolivia and Brazil

Breeding

Males grow bristles on the snout and guard eggs laid on smooth surfaces such as glass or broad leaves until they hatch. It has been bred in aquariums, but this needs clean, well-oxygenated water with good flow and fry need plenty of fine plant-based food.

Good to know

It needs very clean, oxygen-rich water with some current and does poorly with boisterous or nippy tankmates that compete for food or damage its tail filaments. Pages for related whiptails such as Sturisomatichthys and Farlowella get mixed up in the trade, so check the scientific name when buying.