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• TWIG CATFISH HOW TO

That means carrying out partial water changes and vacuuming the aquarium gravel. So, as previously mentioned, it’s critical that you maintain the tank properly. Twig catfish are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, and that can make these fish difficult to care for. An additional pump or bubbler is not required. These fish don’t appreciate too much current in the tank, so you’ll need to buffer the flow from your filter outlet by using plants or decorations. Water parametersįarlowella is tropical and needs water temperatures of 75 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit and a pH in the range of between 6 and 7. Remember that a small tank is more difficult to maintain than a larger one, so always go for the largest tank you can accommodate. For each additional fish, you will need to add at least ten gallons of water. However, if you want to keep a group of these fish, you will need a bigger tank to allow for their length and to ensure that each individual has sufficient space.

You can keep a twig catfish in a 20-gallon aquarium or larger.

TWIG CATFISH HOW TO

In this section of our guide, we explain how to care for these unusual fish. When approaching breeding conditions, the male’s snout develops a mass of tooth-like structures called odontodes. Male and female twig catfish look pretty much the same, although males are generally bigger and have a broader snout than females. The fish’s body is light brown in color with dark stripes or speckles that run the length of the body along the sides, giving the fish its twig-like appearance. The tail fin is shaped like a lyre with the top and bottom split into individual points. The fish have quite small fins, as they are not fast swimmers. These catfish are quite large in size, growing to measure around nine inches. Along with their sedentary lifestyle, the fishes’ appearance helps to keep them camouflaged and safe from predators. These creatures are very thin, long-bodied fish that resemble twigs, hence their name. Twig catfish are some of the most unusual fish in the hobby. The fishes’ longevity depends to a large extent on the care and water conditions you provide. The lifespan of the twig catfish varies considerably from five to 15 years or even more. As with most fish species, the closer you can keep tank conditions to the fishes’ wild habitat, the happier your livestock will be. Farlowella is highly sensitive to unstable water conditions, and their lifespan will be shorter if you fail to manage your tank properly. You must replicate this environment in your aquarium and take care to maintain it. The flow rate in these waters is slow, and the conditions are slightly acidic and soft. Thanks to the overhanging canopy of trees above the water, the lighting on the riverbed where the twig catfish live is naturally dim and shady. In nature, Farlowella avoids open water, preferring to live in river shallows where there’s plenty of shelter and camouflage provided by dense aquatic vegetation and tree roots. These fish are regarded as prey by other species, so remaining completely immobile helps them to stay camouflaged and safe. Twig catfish aren’t the most exciting fish to watch, as they don’t move around much other than to change locations. These catfish inhabit flooded areas where there’s lots of dense aquatic vegetation, fallen branches, and submerged tree roots.īoth in nature and captivity, these fish spend almost all their time using their sucker mouths to attach themselves to surfaces. Originsįarlowella comes from South America, specifically the Orinoco, Amazon, and Paraná rivers. Twig catfish are also sometimes sold as whiptail catfish, but these are the same species of fish. For that reason, it’s Farlowella vittata that you generally see for sale online and in some fish stores. Farlowella acus is considered to be endangered in nature, although it doesn’t appear on the IUCN Red List. There are actually around 40 species of twig catfish, although you only find two species offered for sale in the aquarium trade: Farlowella vittata and Farlowella acus. These fish belong to the Loricariidae family, containing the twig catfish, as these strange looking creatures are also known. What is Farlowella?įarlowella is a group or genus of fishes, rather than just one species. So, if you’re up for a challenge and you want a shy, relatively inactive fish to add to your collection, read on to find out more. These weird-looking, twig-like fish certainly have a very unusual appearance, and they certainly make a good conversation starter in any home tank! If you have a freshwater aquarium and you’re experienced in keeping the conditions in your tank perfect and well-maintained, you might fancy taking on one or more Farlowella.