Description
Farlowella acus is the type species of the armoured catfish genus Farlowella, commonly known as the twig catfish or whiptail catfish. The species name means “pointed” or a “needle” or “spine”.
Twig catfishes are peaceful and friendly bottom dwellers and can be kept in most freshwater community tanks without problems, either as a single pet or as a group.
It thrives best in a tank of at least 24 inches (60 cm) or 35 gallons, and should be provided with plenty of shelter such as Bogwood pieces, vine roots, vertical twigs or slender plant stems to allow natural behaviour. However, twig catfishes do not handle sudden or large amounts of water changes very well. They easily succumb to the shock of such an action. Therefore, a few small water changes per week with aged water are recommended in order to avoid stress.
The water pH should be neutral with the temperature maintained between 72–77 °F. This fragile fish should be kept in a well-filtered aquarium with other quiet tankmates such as small characins (tetras), rasboras, or Corydoras catfish. Aggressive fish such as barbs, cichlids, and larger catfishes should be avoided.
These fish will primarily feed on algae and vegetable laden wafers or tablets.
