Twig Catfish

Remarks:  When the twig catfish first debuted within the hobby, they were highly sought after for their unique shape. However, as more Loricariid species were discovered and introduced to the home aquarium, they seemed to fade from the spotlight. It certainly was not helped that they earned a reputation for doing poorly for seemingly no reason. Now, fish keepers are taking notice of them once more as we have learned how to better care for them and once again recognized their fascinating appearance. Not only do they look cool, but with their voracious appetite for algae they make great additions to a cleanup crew.   The twig-like looks of the twig catfish aid it in camouflaging itself from predators. They can hide in plain sight amongst the many downed tree branches and roots in their native habitat of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. This species is known from Lake Valencia and the Torito River basins in Venezuela, but over the years it has been noted they likely have a broader range than previously thought that may extend into neighboring countries. Despite this decent geographical range, the twig catfish is unfortunately highly endangered with the greatest contributing factor toward this status being habitat destruction. To help preserve the twig catfish, we highly encourage any who are looking to keep this species attempt to breed it so there can be more established captive populations. Thankfully, breeding these fish is not much different compared to other Farlowellas with their traditional vertical surface spawning method where the male guards and cares for the eggs until they hatch. Provided the twig catfish is given proper water parameters, fed an appropriate diet, and there is at least one male and one female, there is a high likelihood anyone keeping these fish will find eggs at least once within the aquarium.   The main cause for twig catfish getting a reputation of being a short-lived fish is due to their care needs not being as understood as they are now. In modern times, we have found that water quality/stability and oxygenation are of upmost importance when it comes to taking care of these sensitive catfish. Pollutants such as nitrates should be kept as close to 0 as possible but large water changes of more than 30% should be avoided as twig catfish are prone to shock. Instead, frequent, small water changes of around 15% with conditioned water should be done. Being a South American species, the twig catfish will also prefer soft, acidic water but can better tolerate levels that are closer to neutral compared to other species. Being a peaceful but shy catfish, twig catfish get along best with other docile fish such as small tetras and Corydoradinae. Large fish that may nip at the twig catfish or will compete heavily with it for food should be avoided.   Twig catfish are primarily herbivorous, feeding on soft vegetation and algae in the wild. They are used to being able to graze 24/7 so before obtaining any twig catfish, it is usually best to allow algae growth within their future home. This will provide them with a plentiful and natural food source to help them get established. Along with natural algae, feeding foods high in vegetable matter such as tablets, fresh vegetables, and herbivorous blend gel foods will help keep these grazers healthy. Twig catfish will occasionally snack on meatier foods such as bloodworms, but these should only be offered as a treat due to the fact too much meat in their diet can cause digestive issues. Given all their needs are considered, they can be a great addition to many aquariums especially those looking for algae control.