PlanetCatfish.com - Farlowella mariaelenae (Loricariidae) Cat-eLog

Close-up showing 3 columns of ventral plates
Ventral view
Ventral view

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Farlowella mariaelenae** Martín Salazar, 1964
Common Name	Twig Catfish
Type Locality	Río Salinas, tributary of Río Pao Viejo, northeast of El Baúl, Estados Cojedes, Venezuela.
Pronunciation	far LOW ella
Etymology	This genus is named after W. G. Farlow, from Harvard University.
Species Information
Size	170mm or 6.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	The genus <em>Farlowella</em> is distinguished by its elongate and slender body with a pronounced rostrum (of variable length), having the dorsal fin located near the middle of the body and only slightly anterior to the anal fin (vs. having the dorsal fin conspicuously closer to the head than the tail, and significantly further anterior than the anal fin), and having a brownish color with two lateral dark stripes beginning at the tip of the rostrum, passing through the eyes and ending at the tail. A key to the genus can be found <a href="https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=324637#p324637">here</a>. 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.
Genus Topic	Which Farlowella species have 3 rows of ventral scutes? Key to the genus here
Sexing	Males develop a thick growth of bristles along the rostrum during the breeding season.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: western Orinoco River basin and possibly Caribbean coastal rivers. 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) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Least Concern , range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
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.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Eats live, frozen, and dry foods. Relishes fresh vegetables such as cucumbers and squash. User data.
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.
Further Information
Reference	Memoria de la Sociedad de Ciencias Naturales La Salle v. 24 (no. 69), pp 246, Fig. 1.
Registered Keepers	There are 15 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is but a single wish to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 8 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Search for F. mariaelenae
	Look up F. mariaelenae on AquaticRepublic.com
	Look up F. mariaelenae on Fishbase
	Look up F. mariaelenae on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up F. mariaelenae on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.4.80.790
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:08 (species record created: 2002 Jan 27 00:00)