Whiptail Catfish

Whiptails are probably the most underrated catfishes in the hobby. They combine bizarre looks with hardiness, adaptability, and utterly peaceful temperaments. While generally they are carnivores rather than algae-eaters, their predatory instincts are directed toward worms and insect larvae, and whiptails won’t harm even the smallest tankmates, such as livebearer fry.

In short, they are excellent community tank catfish, among the best in fact, and I have to confess to having a very soft spot for them. Watching them move about is quite a sight; the smaller Rineloricaria species, for example, walk along using their mouth and pelvic fins like stilts!

One of the best things about whiptails is the range of species available. True, there aren’t as many whiptails as there are Corydoras catfish, but there’s a good range nonetheless. At the small end are dwarfs such as Rineloricaria parva, which are only 3 to 4 inches long, while the biggest species, like Pseudohemiodon laticeps, get to about a foot in length. So no matter how big your community aquarium, there’s a whiptail species for you!

• Species – Rineloricaria eigenmanni
• Common Name – Common Whiptail
• Origin – South America
• Diet – omnivore
• PH Range – 6.8 – 7.6
• Temperature – Tropical 23°c – 26°c
• Breed Type – Egg Layer
• Maximum Size – approximately 25cm
• Sex – Un-sexed