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Hi all

It was suggested in another thread that both the whiptail and the twig catfish have been known to actively chow down on BBA. Has anyone else observed this behaviour? If this is a common behaviour, which is better at BBA consumption?

Both of these species are currently in stock in my local LFS and are similarly priced (about AU$35).

From the profile they both appear to tolerate similar conditions, a vegetarian diet and grow to a similar size but I have not been able to find out much other info. Does anyone have any other personal observations on behaviour, diet etc that might help me choose which of these two I should go with (if either)?

Thanks in advance for your help.


GT

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

They are amazing algae eaters and eat most any kind, Their behavior is the same as a pleco about.

-Vincent

Question.

WHICH "Twig Catfish" are you thinking of?

Only there's several to choose from.

Farlowella acus and its relatives are usually known as "Twig Catfishes" in the trade, but the name can also apply to some species of Rineloricaria, to members of the Genus Sturisoma, and some people also use the name to describe Lamontichthys filamentosus, though aquarists 'in the know' about that species usually refer to it by the more prosaic "the hideously expensive one".

Just to make you aware that once again, common names have a habit of putting some people on the wrong track (especially when you have different people in different parts of the English speaking world using them for different fishes).

I assume you're asking abut Farlowella acus, but just in case you have something different in mind, I thought I'd give you the opportunity to clarify.

OK, job done, now over to the specialist Loricariid keepers.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

All loricariines (whips) that I know either feed on soft algae growths (generally, brown), or not at all. The best way to get rid of bba is just to get your nutrients in check. Sturistoma and sturistomatichthys are decent algae eaters which exhibit reasonably hardy dispositions and habits. The only other common whiptials you'll see in store are not what you're looking for. Rineloricaria are far from algae eaters and feed most on inverts, loricariia are sand sifters, and farlowella are specialist fish that will be difficult to maintain otherwise.

Hi there,
Farlowella Acus, the best algae eater in existence.
This fish, in my experience, eats every single kind of algae even young growths of staghorn. They are phenomenal, even the sae or bristlenose pleco cant compare.
A single twig cat can keep 30 gallons of tank surfaces bare of algae. They are great fish.
The only crux is, dont plan on adding any other algae eaters to the tank, no plecos, saes, or anything.
The twig cat is very shy and can easily be outcompeted for food by a more boisterous species.
Also, if your algae is at a minimum or once it gets there, you will need to feed the twig cat algae wafers and fresh veggies like zuchinni (courgette squash) or the like so it doesnt starve.


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The first hand experience I've had with Rineloricaria sp. and farlowella sp. leads me to state that, farlowella will linger mostly on the wood or giants val's leaves, either munching at the brown algae that was there(no longer existant), or getting cellulose or detritus on its surface. The rineloricaria I usually find on the gravel, on the glass surface eating brown algae and on the leaves of the plants eating the hair algae. The latter gender being the one that I've seen had more impact on the algae growth.

The farlowella I have is probably a F. mariaelenae due to the 3 rows of scutes it has on its underside, ruling out F. vittata and F. acus. The rineloricaria is very similar to R. beni and is probably a R. sp. 'peru', going on the lead that the shippment they came in was from that country.

About their feeding habits, here is an article that may provide you with some general information on loricarids feeding habits: http://www.planetcatfish.com/shanesworld/shanesworld.php?article_id=171.

These fish require very stable systems in order for them to be at their best and very small, more frequent WC's instead of large changes that may alter stability of parameters.

I paid for my 5 inch rineloricarias around $7US for each, price probably increases pending on how far away they have to be transported and size of the individual.

Hope it helps,

James

Well, for one, farlowella acus has never, to my knowledge, been imported.

Furthermore, I'm not sure if things are different in Costa Rica, specifically since there are several loricaria/rineloricaria species in the CA bottleneck, but the U.S. pretty much only imports r. eigenmanni...probably 85% of rineloricaria species here are of said species.

Also, I've never had a problem with rineloricaria and largewater changes...actually, my L-10as recently spawned after a 75% partial. Farlowella, however, are a bit more delicate.

Hi all, thanks for your responses.

The decision has been made - we ended up with a twig (Farlowella sp). I'm pretty sure from looking at the profiles here and on PlanetCatfish that it is a Farlowella vittata.

I am aware that it needs pretty stable water conditions - it was acclimitised for ages and our tank readings have been pretty consistent for the last 6 months so we are hoping it will be OK.

It seems to be comfortable in the tank and has been cruising around checking everything out. It has even started industriously cleaning the glass. Even if it decides not to munch on all of the algae in the tank and we need to supplement its diet, it is still a very cool fish.

GT

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

Congratulations no the new addition to the family. Indeed they are amazingly cool fish. Once you see them developing their long tail filaments and hanging out on top of your wood or plants on full display, they will become one of your favorite fish.

I met a lady that once had a large farlowella and it would come feed right off her hand when she tapped the glass with her nails.


Enjoy!

Hi everyone,

I know this thread has been dead for the last week or so but I thought that I would finalise it by showing you all a few photos of the new fish in its new home now that it has settled in.

Enjoy

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/Gone_Troppo/farlowella.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/Gone_Troppo/farlowella_leaf.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/Gone_Troppo/farlowella_head.jpg

GT



Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.