TankBud

Parnahyba whiptail

Loricaria parnahybae

Also known as Parnaiba whiptail catfish

FreshwaterFish

Parnahyba whiptail (Loricaria parnahybae)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
9.8 in
25 cm
Minimum tank
53 gal
200 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg carrier · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Parnaiba River basin, northeastern Brazil

Overview

The Parnahyba whiptail is a long, flattened catfish that spends its life lying on open sand. It is best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

A male Parnahyba whiptail broods the eggs himself, and he cannot feed normally the whole time he is minding the next generation.

Caring for the Parnahyba whiptail

Give a Parnahyba whiptail at least 53 gal (200 L), with plenty of open sand in a wide, uncluttered area. A deep bed of soft, fine sand is the single most important thing you can give it. Make it deep enough to sift, and edge it with driftwood and a few shady spots. Sharp gravel damages the belly and barbels, so fine sand is not optional.

It tolerates a broad range of water, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Keep the water clean and gently moving. Feed sinking pellets and wafers along with frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and make sure the food reaches the bottom.

The Parnahyba whiptail is social and does fine alone or in a group. It is peaceful and will not trouble other tank mates. Choose small, calm companions that feed in the upper water, so the whiptail is not out-competed at the floor.

Breeding is of moderate difficulty. After spawning, the male gathers the eggs and carries the clutch on his enlarged lower lip and barbels. He broods them for around two weeks while still burying into the sand.

Good to know

Loricaria parnahybae belongs to the whiptail branch of the family Loricariidae. Its body reaches about 16 centimeters, and a trailing tail filament makes up the rest of its length.

In the wild

The Parnahyba whiptail comes from the Parnaiba river system of northeastern Brazil. There it rests on open sand banks and buries into them.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Parnahyba whiptail 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 Parnahyba whiptail need?

A Parnahyba whiptail needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Parnahyba whiptail need?

A Parnahyba whiptail is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a Parnahyba whiptail eat?

A Parnahyba whiptail eats sinking pellets and wafers along with frozen bloodworm and daphnia. Make sure the food reaches the bottom.

How big does a Parnahyba whiptail get?

An adult Parnahyba whiptail reaches about 9.8 in (25 cm).

How can you tell a male Parnahyba whiptail from a female?

Males have an enlarged lower lip, which they use to carry the clutch of eggs after spawning.

How does a Parnahyba whiptail breed?

Male Parnahyba whiptails brood the eggs. After spawning, the male gathers the clutch onto his enlarged lower lip and barbels and carries it for around two weeks. Breeding is of moderate difficulty.

Related species