TankBud

Peruvian royal whiptail

Sturisoma nigrirostrum

Also known as Blacknose sturisoma, Peruvian whiptail

FreshwaterFish

Peruvian royal whiptail (Sturisoma nigrirostrum)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.0–7.4
Adult size
8.7 in
22 cm
Minimum tank
66 gal
250 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Upper Amazon, Peru

Overview

The Peruvian royal whiptail is a tall catfish with long trailing fins. It clings to wood and broad leaves, grazing biofilm and soft algae through the day. It is a peaceful fish for keepers with a little experience.

Did you know

The Peruvian royal whiptail spawns in plain view, while most catfish hide their eggs in caves. Its nursery is one of the few among catfish that you can watch from the sofa.

Caring for the Peruvian royal whiptail

Give the Peruvian royal whiptail at least 66 gal (250 L), set up over sand with plenty of driftwood and some broad-leaved plants. Leave open perching spots on the wood.

Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.4. It should stay clean and moving, with a gentle, steady flow. Good oxygen and low waste levels matter, since these long-finned grazers dislike stale or heavily loaded water.

Its diet is mostly vegetable. Keep the tank mature enough to grow biofilm for it to graze. Offer algae wafers, blanched zucchini, spinach and softened vegetables, with only light protein.

The Peruvian royal whiptail is entirely peaceful. It is social and does fine alone or in a small group. Choose calm tank mates, since fin nippers will shred its delicate fin extensions.

Breeding is of moderate difficulty. Provide flat surfaces such as broad leaves or the glass, which a pair cleans before spawning. The female lays a neat plaque of eggs, and the male guards and fans them in the open. They hatch about a week later.

Good to know

The Peruvian royal whiptail, Sturisoma nigrirostrum, is a whiptail catfish in the family Loricariidae. Its adult length counts the long fin filaments. The name nigrirostrum means black snout, after the dark tip of its long face.

In the wild

The Peruvian royal whiptail comes from clear tributaries of the upper Amazon in Peru. There it perches on submerged wood in gently flowing water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Peruvian royal 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 Peruvian royal whiptail need?

A Peruvian royal whiptail needs at least 66 gal (250 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Peruvian royal whiptail need?

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

What does a Peruvian royal whiptail eat?

A Peruvian royal whiptail eats mostly vegetable foods, such as algae wafers, blanched zucchini, spinach and softened vegetables. Give it only light protein, and let it graze biofilm in a mature tank.

How big does a Peruvian royal whiptail get?

An adult Peruvian royal whiptail reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).

How does a Peruvian royal whiptail breed?

Peruvian royal whiptails spawn on a flat surface, often the glass or a broad leaf, which the pair cleans first. The female lays a neat patch of eggs, and the male guards and fans them until they hatch about a week later. Breeding is of moderate difficulty.

Related species