The Red Whiptail Catfish is an oddball catfish that has a slender body and only grows 4-4.5 inches and cost between $15-20.
These catfish are quite uncommon and relatively inactive. The red colour of the whiptail is thought to be artificial or a unknown hybrid. However they first appeared in Germany
In terms of care it is actually quite simple, in terms of substrate sand is best because of their habits of lying on the sand throughout the day. Driftwood and dried leaves are useful to have since the whiptail catfish rasps and hides on the driftwood and eats the leaves.
The whiptail catfish is very good at camouflaging so it doesn't hide like some other catfish species instead sits in the open and blends in with the surroundings, in my experience it hides on driftwood the most.
In terms of food this catfish is omnivorous, however from my experience doesnt eat alge and will ignore algea wafers, instead it tends to be more carnivorous and loves meaty food especially frozen or live bloodworms
Water quality needs to be kept prestine because like other species of its species it doesnt handle ammonia well, so keep it in a well established dark tank eg blackwater like i do. I also keep my whiptail in soft acidic water around 6.5 which is ideal.
The Red Whiptail Catfish Care
Scientific Name:
Rineloricaria sp.
Common Name:
Red lizard catfish, Red whiptail, l010a
Care level: medium
Size 4"-4.5"
Water parameters: PH: 6-7.5 | Temperature : 75-84°F, 24-29°c | Water Hardness : 2-15°h
Lifespan : 5+ years
Origin / Habitat : South America, comes from Loricariidae genus, may be man-made or hybrid
Temperament / Behaviour : peaceful, not very active, can live on their own or in small groups
Breeding :
Aquarium Size : 30 gallons
Tank Mates: non aggressive fish and semi- aggressive fish
Tank Region : Bottom
Gender : Males have short spines on their head
These catfish are quite uncommon and relatively inactive. The red colour of the whiptail is thought to be artificial or a unknown hybrid. However they first appeared in Germany
In terms of care it is actually quite simple, in terms of substrate sand is best because of their habits of lying on the sand throughout the day. Driftwood and dried leaves are useful to have since the whiptail catfish rasps and hides on the driftwood and eats the leaves.
The whiptail catfish is very good at camouflaging so it doesn't hide like some other catfish species instead sits in the open and blends in with the surroundings, in my experience it hides on driftwood the most.
In terms of food this catfish is omnivorous, however from my experience doesnt eat alge and will ignore algea wafers, instead it tends to be more carnivorous and loves meaty food especially frozen or live bloodworms
Water quality needs to be kept prestine because like other species of its species it doesnt handle ammonia well, so keep it in a well established dark tank eg blackwater like i do. I also keep my whiptail in soft acidic water around 6.5 which is ideal.
The Red Whiptail Catfish Care
Scientific Name:
Rineloricaria sp.
Common Name:
Red lizard catfish, Red whiptail, l010a
Care level: medium
Size 4"-4.5"
Water parameters: PH: 6-7.5 | Temperature : 75-84°F, 24-29°c | Water Hardness : 2-15°h
Lifespan : 5+ years
Origin / Habitat : South America, comes from Loricariidae genus, may be man-made or hybrid
Temperament / Behaviour : peaceful, not very active, can live on their own or in small groups
Breeding :
Aquarium Size : 30 gallons
Tank Mates: non aggressive fish and semi- aggressive fish
Tank Region : Bottom
Gender : Males have short spines on their head
Advertisement