TankBud

Royal whiptail catfish

Sturisoma panamense

Also known as Royal farlowella

FreshwaterFish

Royal whiptail catfish (Sturisoma panamense)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
40 gal
150 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Herbivore
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Pacific and Caribbean slope rivers of Panama, Colombia, Ecuador

Overview

The royal whiptail catfish is a peaceful whiptail for the bottom of a long, fast-flowing tank. It is a step up from the easiest fish.

Did you know

The royal whiptail catfish's long tail filament can get torn or nipped if tank mates are rough. It grows back over time.

Caring for the royal whiptail catfish

Give royal whiptail catfish a long tank of at least 40 gal (150 L), since floor space and tank length matter more than height. Use smooth, fine sand to protect the delicate underside, and add plenty of driftwood.

Keep the water warm, at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. They need strong flow and high oxygen, from a powerhead or an oversized filter. Stay on top of clean, stable conditions, since they do not handle neglect.

Royal whiptail catfish are mostly herbivores that graze algae and biofilm. They can starve in a tank scrubbed too clean. Supplement their grazing with blanched vegetables such as zucchini and spinach, plus a quality algae wafer.

The royal whiptail catfish is peaceful and social. It is fine alone, though a small group suits it. Pair it with other calm, peaceful fish, and avoid anything pushy that will outcompete it at feeding time.

Breeding is of medium difficulty. The eggs usually go on a flat surface or the glass, though it can also spawn in a cave. The male guards the clutch and fans it with his fins, keeping fresh, oxygen-rich water moving over the eggs until they hatch.

Good to know

The royal whiptail catfish, Sturisoma panamense, is a whiptail in the family Loricariidae. Its adult length includes the long trailing filament off the tail. A healthy adult can live several years in stable water.

In the wild

Royal whiptail catfish come from fast, oxygen-rich rivers on the Pacific and Caribbean slopes of Panama, Colombia and Ecuador. There they cling to wood and stones in the current.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The royal whiptail 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 royal whiptail catfish need?

A royal whiptail catfish needs at least 40 gal (150 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a royal whiptail catfish need?

A royal whiptail catfish is comfortable at 72–82°F (22–28°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a royal whiptail catfish eat?

A royal whiptail catfish is mostly herbivorous and grazes algae and biofilm. Supplement that with blanched zucchini or spinach and a quality algae wafer, since it can starve in a tank scrubbed too clean.

How big does a royal whiptail catfish get?

An adult royal whiptail catfish reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

How does a royal whiptail catfish breed?

Royal whiptail catfish usually spawn on a flat surface or the glass, and the male guards the eggs. He fans them with his fins until they hatch. Breeding is of medium difficulty.

Related species