Edit Farlowella vittata
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Name
Scientific name
Farlowella vittata
Described by
Authority Myers, Year 1942
Family
Loricariidae
Summary
The twig catfish, Farlowella vittata, is a stick-like loricariid from the Orinoco river basin in Colombia and Venezuela. This is the most c…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
150mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 90 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm, Minimum height 30 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 24–27°C, pH 6–7
Hardness
3–10dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
Solitary or specimen
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries
Colombia, Venezuela
Supporting text
Etymology
Farlowella: erected by Carl and Rosa Eigenmann (1889) as replacement for Acestra Kner, 1853, the name honours the American botanist from Harvard, William Gibso…
Distribution
Orinoco river basin in Colombia and Venezuela. Type locality: A tributary of Río Uribanto [Uribante], Tachira State, Venezuela.
Habitat
Inhabits areas of submerged vegetation, dead leaves and sticks or tangled roots along the banks of gently flowing streams and rivers.
Aquarium size
Largely inactive and can be kept in a tank measuring 90 ∗ 30 ∗ 30 cm36 ∗ 12 ∗ 12 in - ~81 litres~21 US gal.
Maintenance
A dimly lit stream-type setup with a sand substrate, rounded stones and rocks and lots of driftwood branches would simulate its natural biotope. However, it is…
Water conditions
Temperature: 24 – 27 °C75 – 81 °F pH: 6.0-7.0 Hardness: 3-10°H
Diet
Primarily vegetarian, so the bulk of the diet should be composed of vegetable matter in both fresh (cucumber slices, kale, blanched spinach etc.) and dried (al…
Behaviour and compatibility
Very peaceful but unsuitable for the general community due to its rather specialised requirements and retiring nature. Not only does it require pristine water,…
Sexual dimorphism
Generally easy to sex, as the rostrum (snout) of the male is broader and develops rows of odontotes as the fish matures. These are absent altogether in females.
Reproduction
If kept in suitable conditions and fed well, the fish will breed quite easily, although the fry are notoriously difficult to raise. Try starting with a group o…
Notes
Of the 27 described species of Farlowella found throughout South America, only two are regularly exported. Most of the existing literature refers to these as F…
References
References
3 on this profile