Whiptail Catfish (Sturisoma panamense)
Native Location: South America
Climate: Tropical
Maximum Size: 20 cm (8 inches)
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Breeding: Easy
Temperature Range: 22 – 28℃ (72 – 82.4℉)
Preferred pH Range: 6.5 – 7.5
Minimum Aquarium Size: 113L (30 gallons)
Potential Tankmates: Neon tetras
Care Level: Beginner
Whiptail Catfish are first, a nocturnal fish. Recommended for their peaceful nature as inactive bottom-dwellers. They are an underrated species of aquarium fish. Admired for their unique looks and hardiness. They have acquired a healthy disposition to play nice with other peaceable fish of similar sizes. A member of the Loricariidae family and an excellent choice for beginners. But can be a little delicate in captive conditions.
Whiptail Catfish have a vegetable-focused diet, including vegetable flakes and pellets. They are elegant algae eaters. Less often will they need meaty foods like bloodworms. Try feeding some fresh vegetables like shelled peas, spinach, zucchini and cucumber. If they eat meat protein too often, it will result in an ill-suited diet. Whiptail Catfish are a compatible species. They will work with most other non-aggressive fish and invertebrates. Though, larger individuals in the species may eat small dwarf shrimp and fry. The Whiptail Catfishes slim tail is easy pickings for larger fish. Do not keep with bigger fish, as they will likely bite off the nocturnal fishes tail.
Whiptails work well in groups and can make good companions for Gouramis’ and peaceable Dwarf Cichlids. Known to rarely swim, once these fish find a position in the tank, they will stay motionless. Whiptail Catfish will leave alone most plant life. And will need plenty of hiding spots— driftwood, rockwork and plants. They will appreciate décor with twiggy and bogwood style. Whiptail Catfish are not prone to rearranging things in your aquarium or the substrate. To thrive in a tank, they also require plenty of oxygen. For breeding purposes, provide plastic tubes and other, more natural décor.
These fish are simpler to tell apart than some others during the breeding season. Males develop bristles on their rostrum, cheeks and sometimes on their pectoral fins. Females can be bulkier when viewed from above. They tend to lay eggs in enclosed, quieter spaces in your tank. Males will guard eggs and hatched fry.
