Red lizard catfish
Rineloricaria sp. Red
12 cm
Adult size
200 L
Minimum volume
5
Minimum group
10 years
Lifespan
Water parameters
Understand these values- Genus
- Rineloricaria
- Diet
- omnivore
- Social life
- small group
In the wild
Overview
The red whiptail (“red lizard catfish”, sometimes called L010a) is an elongated, twig-shaped catfish of a uniform orange-red. Its origin remains a mystery: it may descend from a wild population, perhaps from Paraguay, or be a selected form or even a hybrid created in captivity.
Lacking a scientific description, it has no species name. All fish sold are captive-bred.
- Scientific name
- Rineloricaria sp. Red
Natural habitat
Unknown origin: a form known only in captivity
No wild population is known for certain, hence the absence of a map. Wild Rineloricaria live on sandy and leafy bottoms of South American rivers, often camouflaged on the substrate.
In the aquarium it appreciates a decor of fine sand, dead leaves, branches and caves, with moderate light and soft to moderately hard water, slightly acidic to neutral, not too warm (24 to 29 °C).
Behaviour
It is one of the most peaceful catfish: it lives with most calm fish, but is beaten to the food by lively companions. It is only territorial when breeding and does well in a small group.
An omnivore, it eats sinking food, blanched vegetables and frozen prey. It breeds fairly easily in a tube: the male cleans the cave, the female spawns in it, then the male alone guards and fans the eggs, which hatch in 4 to 5 days.
Sources:Seriously Fish GBIF · Base map: Natural Earth