Loricara Whiptail Catfish

Found in Paraguay by Gunther in 1868, the Loricara Whiptail Catfish is properly called the Rineloricaria lanceolata. The body can reach a length of 5 to 6 inches, with extension along the edges of the tail fin reaching another 2-3 inches. The body is a brown base with lots of black mottling. The pectoral and ventral fins are rather large and the dorsal fin is usually held upright. The body shape is very long and narrow, with almost a pointed snout. The Male Loricara Whiptail Catfish will develop short bristles along the edge of its head and pectoral fins. While a pair will get along in the aquarium, two males may bicker. The Whiptail will require some quiet hiding places and is one of the easier to spawn catfish, preferring a cave with a 2 to 2 ¾” diameter in which to lay its eggs. A scavenger by nature, the Whiptail will eat most prepared foods and may require some sinking pellet types of food. Its tankmates should be non-nipping Community Fish and the water parameters should be softer water with a pH between 6.4 and 7.2. Its close cousin, the Longnose Whiptail Catfish, Sturisoma barbatum is sometimes sold under the same generic name, but obtains a mature size closer to 9 inches in length.

Approximate arrival size for Whiptail Catfish: 3 to 5 inches total length