TankBud

Sturgeon catfish

Lamontichthys filamentosus

Also known as Kite Pleco, Filament Whiptail Cat

FreshwaterFish

Sturgeon catfish (Lamontichthys filamentosus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–86°F
22–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
6.3 in
16 cm
Minimum tank
36 gal
135 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Loricariidae
Origin
Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador

Overview

The sturgeon catfish, also called the kite pleco, is a peaceful, delicate loricariid that is reasonably sociable and can be kept in a small group of its own kind. It clings to wood and rock in the current, rasping algae and tiny organisms from the surface, and it needs only calm, similarly gentle tankmates. This is a demanding fish that lives or dies by water quality and oxygen, so it is best for experienced keepers. Feed algae wafers, vegetables, and sinking foods. Provide strong flow and driftwood, and aim for a tank around 135 liters or larger.

In the wild

Lamontichthys filamentosus comes from fast, oxygen-rich reaches of the western Amazon in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, where it clings to solid surfaces in strong current. Despite its fragile look it must have brisk flow and high oxygen, so provide powerful filtration and moving surface water. Hold the temperature between 22 and 30 degrees C at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5, and remember that warmer water carries less oxygen, so keep it well aerated. Use driftwood and smooth rock as grazing surfaces.

Good to know

This member of Loricariidae, the suckermouth armored catfishes, reaches about 16 centimeters and has a flattened, kite-shaped body with long trailing filaments on the fins. Its underside bears an armor of bony plates and a sucker mouth that both grips surfaces in current and rasps benthic algae and micro-organisms. It is delicate and needs pristine, oxygen-rich water. Breeding is not recorded in home aquariums.

Did you know

The sturgeon catfish trails long, whip-like filaments from its fins and tail, and its slender, flattened shape and rows of body plates give it the look of a miniature sturgeon, though the two fish are not related.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

Sturgeon 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 Sturgeon catfish need?

A Sturgeon catfish needs at least 36 gal (135 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a Sturgeon catfish need?

A Sturgeon catfish is comfortable at 72–86°F (22–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

How big does a Sturgeon catfish get?

An adult Sturgeon catfish reaches about 6.3 in (16 cm).

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