Twig Catfish

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Orinoco River basin, in South America (Colombia and Venezuela). Its sedentary habits relegate it to flooded margins, where submerged twigs and coastal plants abound.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Twig Catfish (Farlowella vittata). The absolute pinnacle of evolution in Loricariid camouflage. Extremely thread-like, perfectly cylindrical in shape and an elongated cartilaginous "nose", it emulates 100% a twig fallen into the water.

Social Behavior: A ninja fish. Maintains a motionless position, parallel to the long branches of the aquarium. It moves by sliding to graze imperceptibly, or by making nocturnal hops. Disarmingly peaceful.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The color is identical to dry wood bark (light olive-brown) with two dark lateral stripes that joining on the snout emphasize the three-dimensionality. Adult males develop bristling sensory spines ("odontodes") along the sides of the snout (the nose).

Aquarium Setup: Without branches of various diameters the animal perishes. The long intertwined branches, best if positioned diagonally or vertically and covered with algae, constitute 100% of the essential decor for it.

Diet and Feeding: Strictly herbivorous/algivorous and somewhat xylophagous (wood grazer). Requires constant presence of soft algae or biofilm. Administer sliced zucchini, spinach, and bottom algae wafers. DO NOT pollute the diet with meaty foods or bloodworms (intestinal bloat).

Water Quality: Oxygenation must be perfect. Due to their weak and armored physiology, high nitrates (above 20ppm) block their respiration until death (they silently suffocate on the glass).

Compatibility and Tankmates: It cannot swim vigorously or escape. If kept with Ancistrus, large Plecos, or active Central American Cichlids, it will end up subjugated, stressed and will starve to death. Excellent with Corydoras and peaceful nano tetras (Cardinals, Neons).

Aquarium Reproduction: Moderately difficult. Lays eggs (about 50-60) on bare glass in the dark or on broad Anubias leaves. The male tirelessly guards the brood for about ten days without feeding.

Risks and Diseases: The problems in the aquarium are two: it literally dies of hardship (starvation) if placed in "mirror polished" tanks devoid of algae, or it gets stuck in breeding nets breaking the iconic "nose".