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Peru Aquarium Group (1) Johnny Jensen's Photographic Library (2) Lars Jamne (2)

This species of Farlowella has a long broad rostrum with a reticulated pattern above and a circular pattern on the ventral side. Aquarium Care: Not an easy catfish to keep as there have been many unexplained deaths attributed to this species (and other Farlowella) and as such would need dedicated care from an experienced catfish keeper who has worked with this species or its close cousins from the easier kept Sturisoma genera. As this is a very timid species, if housed with other inhabitants you would be better keeping away from boisterous fish such as some of the Barb species (such as tigers) and definitely Cichlids. Better companions would be the unobtrusive Corydoras species and small Characins or Rasboras. Needs a high oxygen content in the aquarium with regular water changes to keep the water in pristine condition.  Prefers a dark substrate with a dense vegetation, floating and long leaved plants where they will hang on to. Reproduction: Eggs are placed at the aquarium glass or on a leaf and cared for by the male, which can be recognised by it's nose odontodes. Diet: They are mostly vegetarian with algae being their number one source of food for adults and young fry so the above mentioned foods along with vegetable laden tablets should suffice. Remarks: In Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes Farlowella platorynchus is now being stated as a synonym of F. amazonum.

Crosshair twig catfish

None

Loricariidae

South America: Upper and lower Amazon River basin. Type locality: Peru, Ucayali Department, Pucallpa, Yari-nachocha, Río Ucayali drainage, 8º23'S, 74º32'W.

19.5cm (7¾ins)

24-27°c (75-81°f.)

6.0-7.0.

Evers, H.-G. & I.Seidel: Mergus, Baensch Catfish Atlas Volume 1, 1st English edn., 2005. Pp.944.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
www. loricariidae.info