Farlowella vittata • Loricariidae • Cat-eLog • PlanetCatfish

Eggs - Day 2

Eggs - Day 3

Eggs - Day 4

Eggs - Day 5

Eggs - Day 6

Eggs - Day 7

Eggs - Day 8

Eggs - Day 9

Eggs hatching

Eggs from 2 females laid over 3 nights

Female (left) and male guarding eggs

Newly Hatched Fry

Female illustrating scutes

Eggs - Day 1

Male illustrating odontodes on rostrum

Male Lateral Profile

Close-up of head

Habitat: Collecting from submerged foliage

Habitat: Vegetation at rivers edge

Ventral view

Female lateral profile

Ventral view

Eggs

One week old fry

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Farlowella vittata Myers, 1942 - add this species to your "My Cats" page.

Common Name(s)

Twig Catfish

Type Locality

Trib. of Río Uribanto [Uribante], Tachira State, Venezuela.

Synonym(s)

Farlowella agustini, Farlowella angosturae, Farlowella guaricensis, Farlowella roncallii

Pronunciation

far LOW ella - vit hat ah

Etymology

Named after W. G. Farlow, from Harvard University. This specific epithet refers to its striped (vittatus=striped) appearance.

Species Information

Size

150mm (5.9") SL

Show near, nearer or same sized spp.

Identification

There are at least 25 [Retzer & Page, 1997] species of Farlowella that, in the main, look very similar. The species was identified by its distinctive rostrum and ventral plates arrangement.

Sexing

The male's "snout" is broader and when mature sports small bristles called odontodes. This is clearly shown in one of the images above. The female has a thinner snout which always remains smooth.

Habitat Information

Distribution

Venezuela
Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there)

6.0 - 7.0

Temperature

24.0-27.0°C or 75.2-80.6°F (Show others)

Other Parameters

Detailed attention to water quality is essential for the long term prosperity of this species.

Husbandry Information

Feeding

Green and soft brown algae, cucumber and lettuce.

Furniture

Bogwood, particularly tall, spindly root-like structures. Tall plants such as Vallisneria or Amazon swords. Roof slate if you can get it.

Compatibility

Peaceful, to the point of being timid. Not the most active fish, it can spend much of its time sitting perfectly still.

Suggested Tankmates

Tetras or Rasboras are best. Avoid fast or "nippy" fishes such as Danios or Barbs. Will do well with Corydoras catfish, but larger catfish or cichlids are to be avoided.

Breeding

See Shane's World article.

Further Information

References

Stanford Ichthyol. Bull.v. 2 (no. 4) - pp103 - Fig. 12

"My Cats"
Registered Keepers

(1) racoll, (2) Marc van Arc, (3) adimeatatime, (4) fmagnier, (5) CatBrat, (6) Erlend D Bertelsen, (7) Barbie, (8) Plecofanatic1989, who also notes, "This is a very easy cat to keep. They are very active at night and are good "algae eaters".", (9) irshprncsk, (10) Chrysichthys, (11) reneb, (12) Troender, (13) tHEcONCH, (14) Loracidlover, (15) ashik, (16) Firestorming, (17) lbriquet, (18) PatchesThePirate, (19) Lubbe, (20) Juand15, (21) Juand15, (22) fleahound, (23) Blonde1, (24) matti2uude, (25) L number Banana, who also notes, "5 unknowns are: -4 plate baby -2 plate pearly -2 plate/3 plate head markings -3 plate yellow -3 plate common colour with eyes on top, flat mouth", (26) willis30, (27) gedtranter, (28) djinn75, (29) djinn75, (30) djinn75, (31) djinn75, (32) wschug, (33) Stany200, (34) bronzefry, who also notes, "Bred in 29 gallon planted tank with Corydoras trilineatus as tankmates.", (35) m.nl, who also notes, "Breeding pair in a 60L aquarium. ", (36) Frank the L, (37) joemc, (38) Crel, (39) Timberwolf, (40) ozarowana, (41) janne dahle, (42) Yann, (43) Yann.
Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "My Cats" data for this species.

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