Whiptail Catfish
Loricaria simillima
Parameter dashboard
24-27 °C
5.6-7.8
18 cm
10 years
Care guide
The marbled whiptail catfish is a slender, bottom-dwelling loricariid from South America that reaches about 18 cm in length. Unlike many plecos it is not a bulky fish — its body is flattened and elongate, perfect for slipping between driftwood branches and under leaf litter. It needs a soft sand substrate to sift through without damaging its barbels, and plenty of hiding spots among bogwood or smooth stones. A tank of 150 litres or more gives it room to forage. Temperature should be kept between 24°C and 27°C with a pH of 5.6 to 7.8 and moderate water movement that mimics its flowing-water habitat. These are peaceful fish that do not bother tankmates, but they are best kept singly or in a small group of three since males can scrap over territory. They are omnivorous, grazing on algae, biofilm, and any prepared food that reaches the bottom, with regular live or frozen invertebrate foods and sinking prepared foods; vegetables can be offered occasionally. One unusual trait is paternal lip-brooding — the male carries the brood of eggs in his lower lip for around 10-15 days, keeping them ventilated with movements of his mouthparts, and releases well-developed free-swimming fry. Aquarium lifespan estimates are around 10 years with suitable care.
Source
Further reading on identification and aquarium care.
Tankmate compatibility (sample)
Pairwise screening against other species in the database (prioritizing the same family when data is available).
Review first (12)
Caution or avoid from automated rules — confirm before mixing.
| Species | Assessment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common otocinclus Otocinclus vittatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Giant Whiptail Sturisomatichthys aureus Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Medusa Pleco Ancistrus ranunculus Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Nannoptopoma Nannoptopoma sternoptychum Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Oxyropsis Oxyropsis carinata Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space · one is boisterous and the other a much smaller peaceful fish sharing the same floor, where it can be intimidated and outcompeted at feeding time Open pair in Compare → |
| Royal Farlowella Sturisomatichthys festivus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Royal panaque Panaque nigrolineatus Caution | Caution | Fish 2x+ larger may eat smaller tankmates · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Sunshine Pleco Scobinancistrus aureatus Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Twig Catfish Farlowella vittata Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Vampire Pleco Leporacanthicus galaxias Caution | Caution | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Whiptail catfish Farlowella acus Caution | Caution | close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
| Gold Nugget Pleco Baryancistrus xanthellus Avoid | Avoid | Multiple territorial species in the same swim layer cause stress · Species with non-overlapping temperature ranges cannot coexist · the two share only a narrow band of temperature, so one of them sits at the edge of its range · close relatives, and one of them is territorial, so both claim the same kind of space Open pair in Compare → |
Same rule engine as Compare. Not a substitute for observation, tank size, or acclimation.
Related species
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