Twig Catfish

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingAttentive tank care

  Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment5–8 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Ich (white spot) · Fin rot · Parasites

The Twig Catfish (Farlowella acus and close relatives) comes from Venezuela and Colombia and reaches about 15 to 20 cm, almost all of it length rather than bulk. It is a suckermouth catfish that has evolved to imitate a submerged twig, and it will spend the day motionless along a branch or plant stem. It is not a beginner fish. It needs a mature, established 100 litre tank or larger at 23-27C, pH 6.0 to 7.5, with good oxygen, gentle to moderate flow, plenty of driftwood and a surface film of biofilm and soft algae to graze. Supplement with algae wafers, blanched courgette and spinach, because a new or spotless tank will not feed it and slow starvation is the usual cause of death. It is extremely peaceful and easily outcompeted, so it needs calm tankmates and food placed where it can reach it undisturbed. It is also sensitive to nitrate and to sudden parameter swings, which makes stable, regularly changed water the single most important part of keeping it alive.

• How active is a Twig Catfish?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Twig Catfish need?

  Attentive tank care. Sensitive to water quality — stay on top of testing and maintenance.

• What tank size does a Twig Catfish need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Twig Catfish a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Twig Catfish live?

  5–8 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Twig Catfish?

  Keep an eye out for Ich (white spot), Fin rot, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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