Twig Catfish (Farlowella acus) Care Guide

A remarkably elongated catfish that perfectly mimics a twig or stick in the aquarium. Its extremely slender body with a long, pointed snout allows it to blend in among branches.

Overview

Farlowella acus is a species in the family Loricariidae. A remarkably elongated catfish that perfectly mimics a twig or stick in the aquarium. Its extremely slender body with a long, pointed snout allows it to blend in among branches. An excellent algae grazer that requires stable, well-oxygenated water.

Taxonomy

Family: Loricariidae
Genus: Farlowella
Scientific name: Farlowella acus
Other names: Farlowella Catfish, Stick Catfish
Origin: South America, Venezuela, Colombia

Habitat

Farlowella acus is a slender, twig-like loricariid catfish from rivers and streams of Venezuela and Colombia in South America. It clings to wood and stems, grazing algae and biofilm, and relies on driftwood and a steady food supply of soft algae.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 100 L
Temperature: 22-27 °C
pH: 6-7.5
GH: 2-12 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 12-15 cm
Lifespan: 5-10 years
Difficulty: intermediate

Diet

Classified as herbivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 1x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Position in tank: bottom
Compatible tank mates: Neon Tetra, Corydoras, Cherry Shrimp, Otocinclus
Avoid with: Large Cichlids, Aggressive Fish, Plecostomus

Breeding

Breeding strategy: egg-depositor
Breeding difficulty: advanced