Cat-eLog Right Arrow Loricariidae Right Arrow Loricariinae Right Arrow Farlowella

Jump to next section Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Farlowella mariaelenae  Martín Salazar, 1964
Common Name Twig Catfish
Type Locality Río Salinas, trib. of Río Pao Viejo, northeast of El Baúl, Cojedes State, Venezuela.
Pronunciation far LOW ella
Etymology Named after W. G. Farlow, from Harvard University. 
Jump to next section Species Information
Size 250mm or 9.8" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Commonly imported mixed in with the more common Farlowella vittata with which it shares its habitat. F. mariaelenae can be distinguished by its thinner rostrum and three, versus two in F. vittata, rows of belly scutes.
Sexing Males develop a thick growth of bristles along the rostrum during the breeding season.
Jump to next section Habitat Information
Distribution Found throughout the Venezuelan and Colombian llanos in the Orinoco drainages. Abundant in the Rios Apure, Meta, and Guaviare and their feeders.
Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco, Upper Orinoco, Guaviare (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Meta (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Orinoco, Middle Orinoco, Apure (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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pH 6.4 - 7.8
Temperature 24.0-30.0°C or 75.2-86°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Found only in whitewaters and never blackwaters.
Jump to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Eats live, frozen, and dry foods. Relishes fresh vegetables such as cucumbers and squash.
Furniture Found most commonly near the river banks in flooded vegetation or on overhanging branches. Adapts well to planted aquaria. Some driftwood should be available. Appreciates a slight amount of current.
Compatibility Suitable for any tank in which its tankmates will leave it alone. Will not harm even the fry of other species.
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 Assumed to spawn like the rest of the genus with the male guarding the eggs. It is unclear if it has been bred in aquaria to date as neither exporters, importers, nor most aquarists differentiate between F. mariaelenae and F. vittata.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Jump to next section Further Information
References Mem. Soc. Cienc. Nat. La Sallev. 24 (no. 69) - pp246 - Fig. 1
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Last Update 2009 Jul 05 00:49 (species record created: 2002 Jan 27 00:00)