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Martin Danielse (1) Melaine Riddell (1) Steven Pritchard (2) Allan James (2) Mark Henry Sabaj (1) Kiruya Momochi (1)

This species and Sturisomatichthys festivus are very much alike and the care is the same for both species. The work carried out by Covain et.al. 2016 confines the Sturisoma genera to west of the Andes (cis-Andean), and the Sturisomatichthys genera restricted to the east of the Andes (trans-Andean). Reproduction: As per this genus will lay eggs usually on the tank walls and the male will guard and fan the eggs. The eggs will hatch between 7 to 9 days and the youngsters will eat Artemia, minced lettuce and mashed peas. Aquarium Care: Large planted aquarium with non aggressive tank mates. Regular water changes must be adhered to, to keep this animal in good health. Sexual Differences: Mature males  will grow odontodes along the sides of the head and rostrum (snout). Diet: Mostly vegetarian with cucumber, spinach, and algae wafers. Meaty foods such as frozen blood worms and live foods such as white worms and brine shrimp can be fed  sporadically. Sexual Differences: The males tend to have longer extensions to the fins. Remarks: Still listed on some online sources as S. aureum.

Giant Whiptail

Loricaria aurea, Sturisoma aureum, Sturisomatichthys aureum

Loricariidae

Colombia: Magdalena, San Jorge and Cesar River basins. Type locality: Bodega central, Rio Magdalena, Colombia.

20.0cm. (8ins)

24-28°c (75-83°f)

6.0-7.5.

Covain, R., S. Fisch-Muller, C. Oliveira, J.H. Mol, J.I. Montoya-Burgos and S. Dray, 2015. Molecular phylogeny of the highly diversified catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) reveals incongruences with morphological classification. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 94:492-517.
Ferraris, C.J. Jr., 2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2017. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, ( 10/2017 ).
Grant, S. Whiptail Catfish on the Move. Practical Fishkeeping (UK) May 2016.
www.loricariinae.com