Amazon whiptail catfish - Farlowella amazonum

Scientific name: Farlowella amazonum

Common name: Amazon whiptail catfish

Family: Loricariidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 20 - 24 cm (7.87 - 9.45 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6.4 - 7.3

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 15°N (71.43 - 267.86ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 27 °C (73.4 - 80.6°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Food and feeding

Amazon whiptail catfish are not fussy eaters and should accept a quality flake, sinking pellets or algae wafers on a regular basis. They will also require meaty foods like blood worms and chopped cockles etc. For extra vegetable matter add spinach, shelled peas or cucumber to the tank.

Origin

South America; Amazon whiptail catfish are found in the waterways of Brazil.

Sexing

If you inspect the cheeks of the fish closely, the males will have a serrated edge to them. The females will have a smooth edge.

Breeding

The eggs will be laid in a suitable spawning site; this can be helped by adding pvc piping to the breeding tank. Once the female has finished spawning she plays no further part in the parental care and will leave the site. After a few days the eggs should hatch and a few days after this the fry will be free swimming and start to leave the nest. It is quite easy to feed the fry at this stage. Add a spinach leaf or a lettuce leaf to the tank and they will eat from it.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Farlowella amazonum is 5-8 years.

Short description

Farlowella amazonum are very peaceful and prefer to be kept in small groups. They should only be kept with peaceful tank mates or they may hide away a lot.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.