Author: Darren Stevens
First published in Aquarium World November 2012

In the previous articles we’ve covered the suckermouth catfish (Family Loricariidae) commonly referred to as plecos (subfamily Hypostominae). However there are other suckermouth catfish that are also popular in the hobby. The subfamily Loricariinae comprises the whiptails and their relies, a group of about 200 species of mostly slender catfish characterised by a long and flattened caudal peduncle (the bone at the base of the tail) and no adipose fin (the small knob-like fin in front of the tail). Whiptails are divided two tribes (groups): the Harttiini and the Loricariini. The Harttiini have, among other features, more teeth, more branched rays in the caudal (tail) fin, a rounded mouth, and shorter upper jaw barbels. The Loricariini typically have fewer teeth, fewer branched rays in the caudal fin, longer barbels, more elaborate variation in the lips, and often a ‘whiptail’ – a whip-like extension to the caudal (tail) fin.

Unlike their often more colourful pleco relies, whiptails are cryptically-coloured, often in shades of brown, yellow, and grey, with black markings. However their long slender body profile and often bizarre shape, makes them a unique and attractive addition to medium to larger sized community tanks. Some whiptails are largely vegetarian but most species do well on a varied diet. Some whiptails, for example twig catfish (Farlowella species), do not compete well for food and need to be kept with gentle, slow moving, tank mates. Most whiptails appreciate good water flow and highly oxygenated water.

A number of whiptail species have been bred in captivity and there are excellent articles on how to do this on Planet Catfish (www.planetcatfish.com). Many whiptails breed in caves or crevices (e.g. red and lanceolate whiptails), others on flat surfaces (e.g. twig catfish and royal whiptails), and bizarrely in others the male carries the eggs around in his lips (e.g. pinnochio whiptails). The lip brooders live in open, often sandy areas that lack suitable caves to protect their young in. The young of some species are very difficult to rear and require optimal feeding and hygiene (a difficult combo), and frequent partial water changes.

There is some confusion over exactly which species of whiptails are commonly found in the aquarium hobby. This is not surprising given that many species look similar, a number are widespread and have different regional morphs, and related species can hybridise if given the chance. This is further complicated by the use of multiple ‘common names’ and the scientific name of many species have changed and some of the proposed new scientific names have not been widely adopted. The following species is my attempt to disentangle the species we may have in New Zealand.

Tribe Harttiini

The twigs – Farlowella

The genus Farlowella comprises about 26 species of long, very slender catfish giving rise to the common name of twig catfish. The genus is named after William Gibson Farlow, a famous American botanist. Twig catfish are widespread in South America and are generally found in faster flowing water where they attach to wood, grasses or other substrates. Not surprisingly they appreciate good water quality and frequent partial water changes. In the wild, twig catfish feed on algae and aufwuchs (essentially algal biofilm) and should therefore be fed on a largely vegetarian diet (algal wafers, courgette, cucumber, spinach. lettuce, etc). They are poor competitors for food and need to be kept with peaceful species. Plecos are not recommended as tank mates as they often dominate food and may prevent twig catfish from feeding. Both ‘short-nosed’ and ‘long-nosed’ twigs are imported into New Zealand, although it is not known what species they represent. Many articles refer to twig catfish as Farlowella acus, however this Venezuelan species has a restricted range and is endangered, and is unlikely to have ever been imported. Overseas the most commonly imported twig catfish are apparently Farlowella vittata and F. mariaelenae, long-nosed species from the llanos (great plains) of Colombia and Venezuela.

The royal whiptails – Sturiosoma

The name Sturiosoma means with a body like a sturgeon and is derived from the German ‘sturio’ meaning sturgeon, and the Greek ‘soma’ meaning body. There are about 15 species widely distributed on both slopes of the Andes, in Panama and Colombia, and in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraná River basins. Sturiosoma species are usually found in rivers with moderate to swift currents where they attach to rocks or wood and feed on algae and aufwuchs. Not surprisingly they appreciate good water flow with high levels of dissolved oxygen and frequent partial water changes. They will accept a variety of aquarium foods but do best on a largely vegetarian diet (mashed peas, blanched lettuce, zucchini, cucmbers). As with many whiptails there is confusion as to which royals we have in the hobby. The name Sturiosoma panamense is often mentioned but apparently this species grows smaller than the common aquarium species. According to pleco guru Ingo Seidel, through the 1970’s to 1990’s the common royal whiptail was the long-finned royal, Sturiosoma festivum, which was imported from northern Colombia. However, due to conflict in the area, royal whiptails are now collected from the Rio Magdalena where the common species is the shorter finned Sturiosoma aureum. Unfortunately these two species freely hybridise and true S. festivum are now very rare in the hobby. The real Sturiosoma festivum is a medium (to about 18 cm standard length or SL – tip of snout to the base of the tail fin) light to medium brown pleco with darker flanks and centre of dorsal (top) fin. It originates from the Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela and the Rio (river) Catatumbo in Colombia, and is suited to larger tanks with pH’s of 6.8–7.6 and temperatures of 24–28°C.

Tribe Loricariini

Any other whiptail species we are likely to see in New Zealand is likely to be a member of the Loricariini tribe.

Hemiloricaria

There are about 26 scientifically described Hemiloricaria species. Hemi means ‘half’ in reference toHemiloricaria species having half (or some) of the features of the Genus Loricaria, the first scientifically described Genus of whiptails and suckermouth catfish described by Carl von Linnaeus in 1758.Hemiloricaria whiptails are very similar to Rineloricaria, and differ mainly in the degree of bristling on, and near, the head of sexually active males. Some researchers do not regard Hemiloricaria as a valid Genus and place all Hemiloricaria species in the Genus Rineloricaria.

Lanceolate whiptail catfish (Hemiloricaria / Rineloricaria lanceolata)

The lanceolate whiptail is an attractive small (to about 10 cm SL) light to dark brown whiptail with dark brown to black patterning. Some fish are almost entirely black. It is found through Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Colour and patterning varies depending on their origin and may include undescribed species. The ‘black’ whiptail is a Peruvian import with particularly attractive patterning. Lanceolate whiptails are suited to medium sized community tanks, and depending on their origin pH’s of 6.0–8.0 and temperatures of 22–29°C.

Rineloricaria

There are about 37 scientifically described Rineloricaria species (or over 60 if you include Hemiloricaria).Rineloricaria is derived from the Greek ‘rhinos’ meaning nose and Loricaria in reference to another Genus of whiptails.

Red whiptail catfish (Rineloricaria sp. L010A)

The beautiful red whiptail or red lizard whiptail is a small (to 11 cm standard length, SL) chocolate coloured pleco. Its origins are unclear but it first appeared in the former East Germany in the 1970s. It has apparently been crossed several times with the more prolific Hemiloricaria lanceolata and purebred specimens are rare. This red colour form is thought to be artificial but it is not known how it was derived. They are suited to medium sized community tanks with pH’s of 6.5–7.2 and temperatures of 22–27°C. Red whiptails have been bred several times in New Zealand.

There are a number of other whiptails that have been imported into New Zealand including the striking apache or dappled whiptail (Hemiloricaria melini), the “panda” whiptail (possibly Loricaria simillima), the spectacular pinnochio or knob-nosed whiptail (Hemiodontichthys acipenserinus), and the “white” whiptail catfish (Hemiloricaria sp. “white” or “Peru”).

Thanks to the Pet Centre Lower Hutt for allowing me to photograph their whiptails.

References:
Planet catfish (www.planetcatfish.com)
ScotCat (www.scotcat.com)
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Covain, R.; Fisch-Muller, S. 2007. The genera of the Neotropical armored catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae): a practical key and synopsis. Zootaxa 1462: 1–40.
Evers, H.-G.; Seidel, I. 2005. Catfish Atlas Vol. 1: South American Catfishes of the Families Loricariidae, Cetopsidae, Nematogenyidae and Trichomycteridae. Mergus, Germany. 943 p.
Linder, S. 2002. The Venezuelan Diary Series, Part 15 • The hunt for Farlowella acus. Shanes World, www.planetcatfish.com
Linder, S. 2008. Twig Catfish – Farlowella acus. Catfish of the month, July 2008, www.planetcatfish.com
Seidel, I. 2012. Long-fin Royal Farlowella (Sturiosoma festivum): A beauty in danger of disappearing from our hobby. Aquarium International 1: 55–63.

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