Whiptail Catfish, also known by its scientific name Farlowella acus, is a type of tropical freshwater catfish.
It belongs to the Loricariidae family and is part of the Siluriformes order.
The genus name Rineloricaria comes from two languages – Greek (rhinos, meaning nose) and Latin (lorica, meaning leather armor).
These catfish are called “whiptail” because they have a long, thin tail that looks like a whip. Some types of whiptail catfish can be found in aquariums.
Whiptail catfish are peaceful fish, and it’s best to keep them in groups of at least 6.
They like living in tanks with lots of hiding places, such as plants, driftwood, slate caves, and PVC pipes.
Whiptail Catfish Interesting Facts
- Whiptail catfish are a type of freshwater tropical catfish found in the rivers of northern and central South America.
- They have a long filament growing out of the tip of their caudal fin, which is why they are called whiptail catfish.
- Whiptail catfish are peaceful creatures that should be kept in groups of six or more in an aquarium with plenty of hiding spots.
- In order to provide comfortable living conditions for your whiptail catfish, make sure your tank has matured and includes various things such as driftwood, slate caves, PVC pipes, etc.
Whiptail Catfish Habitat
Whiptail catfish mostly live in the rivers of northern and central South America, except for one species (R. altipinnis) which is found in Panama.
These fish thrive in water with temperatures between 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C).
They prefer water with a pH level between 6.0 to 7.2, which is slightly acidic to neutral.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.0 to 7.2 pH |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Whiptail Catfish Physical Characteristics
Size: 4.7 inches (12 centimeters)
Whiptail catfish can grow up to 12 cm or 4.7 inches long.
Whiptail Catfish Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Loricariinae |
| Genus: | Rineloricaria |
| Scientific Name: | Farlowella acus |
| Also Known As: | Whiptail Catfish |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |