All fish / Loricariidae

Gunther's Sturisoma

Sturisomatichthys guentheri

Also known as sturisoma guentheri, whiptail catfish, royal farlowella, gunther's whiptail, guenther's sturisoma

This is a long, slim whiptail catfish with a tall sail-like dorsal fin, a pointed snout and long filaments trailing from the tail. It is brown to golden with a dark stripe along each side. Keepers like it for its unusual shape, its calm nature and the way it grazes algae off glass and wood.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Singly, in pairs or a small group

Diet

Herbivore: algae wafers, blanched vegetables, biofilm, with occasional frozen bloodworm

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin: Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil

Breeding

Males guard eggs laid on smooth vertical surfaces such as glass or wood, and they grow facial bristles when mature. Breeding is possible in clean, well-oxygenated, soft water with a steady current. Raising the fry is the hard part because they need constant grazing food.

Good to know

It needs clean, well-oxygenated water with some flow and does poorly with boisterous tankmates that outcompete it for food. Older books and shop labels still list it as Sturisoma guentheri.