TankBud

Dwarf royal twig catfish

Sturisomatichthys leightoni

Also known as Leightoni twig catfish, Colombian dwarf sturisoma

FreshwaterFish

Dwarf royal twig catfish (Sturisomatichthys leightoni)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.4
Adult size
5.9 in
15 cm
Minimum tank
42 gal
160 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Herbivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Magdalena basin, Colombia

Overview

The dwarf royal twig catfish is a slender, peaceful grazer for a calm community tank with flowing water. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

Most plecos hide their eggs deep in a cave. The dwarf royal twig catfish does the opposite and spawns in plain view.

Caring for the dwarf royal twig catfish

Give dwarf royal twig catfish a mature tank of at least 42 gal (160 L). Furnish it with driftwood, some slender branches and a sand floor. They perch on wood, rock and broad leaves.

Clean water, a gentle but steady current and good oxygen keep them in condition. Keep the water soft to neutral, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.4.

They graze biofilm and algae. Feed vegetable foods such as blanched zucchini and spinach, plus soft sinking pellets. They are gentle and easily out-competed, so make sure they get their share.

The dwarf royal twig catfish is peaceful and does fine alone, but a small group settles well together. Keep it with calm, non-boisterous tank mates.

It lays its eggs on a flat vertical surface, often the aquarium glass. The male guards and fans the clutch until it hatches. Breeding it at home is possible with some care.

Good to know

Sturisomatichthys leightoni is a member of the family Loricariidae. It is a long, slender, stick-shaped fish, a compact relative of the larger royal twig catfishes.

In the wild

The dwarf royal twig catfish comes from the Magdalena basin in Colombia. It clings to wood and rock in clear, flowing, well-oxygenated water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The dwarf royal twig catfish is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a dwarf royal twig catfish need?

A dwarf royal twig catfish needs at least 42 gal (160 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a dwarf royal twig catfish need?

A dwarf royal twig catfish is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.4.

What does a dwarf royal twig catfish eat?

A dwarf royal twig catfish grazes biofilm and algae. Feed it vegetable foods such as blanched zucchini and spinach, plus soft sinking pellets, and make sure it gets its share.

How big does a dwarf royal twig catfish get?

An adult dwarf royal twig catfish reaches about 5.9 in (15 cm).

How does a dwarf royal twig catfish breed?

The dwarf royal twig catfish lays its eggs on a flat vertical surface, often the aquarium glass. The male guards and fans the clutch until it hatches. Breeding it at home is possible with some care.

Related species