Common Name: Stick Catfish, Twig Catfish, and Needle Catfish
Scientific Name: Farlowella acus (KNER,
1854)
Categories: Family: Loricariidae
Origins: The southern drainage basin of the Amazon region; Venezuela.
Description: Can grow up to 7 ¾ inches, but usually smaller.
The male of the species has bristles over the broader snout, and its
body is thinner than the female.
Diet: Herbivorous. Frequent feedings of peas, spinach, and lettuce.
They must eat wood for roughage.
Environment: Prefers fast flowing, oxygen rich streams, rivers, pools,
and flooded ponds in the wild. Tank temperature should range between 68-77F.,
with the pH 6.5-7.2, and dH between 6-15. However, in the wild they are found
in varying water temperatures from between 70 and 90F. And the water hardness
from 1 to over 11 dH. Clean, oxygenated water with a reasonable flow, is
a requirement. A lot of roots should be placed in the tank not only for hiding
places, but for a food source also. Large leafed plants along with some floating
plants to form a roof against bright lights.
Tank Mates: Community tank however, doesnt like skittish fish.
Breeding: Breed only a single pair at a time. The male guards the
spawning site and will keep the weaker males from eating. Remove the female
after the spawning has taken place so as to allow the male to tend to the
eggs properly.
The pair will clean the bare glass pane for the spawning site, while
remaining close to each other. The eggs and sperm are released while the
two are in close contact to each other. The spawn will stick to the pane
of glass (the softer the water, under 8dH, the better), and each spawn will
consist of about 5 eggs with the total spawn consisting between 40 to 60
eggs. After they have completed the mating, the male will begin to tend the
brood by fanning water over the eggs. When the young begin to emerge from
their eggs, the male will then assist them by sucking them out.
Farlowella fry are even more susceptible to bacteria and infusorians
than the other armored catfish. A daily water change of 80% is recommended,
with a water level being about 1.9 inches.