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 it’s 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, doesn’t 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.