Species Snapshot
- Species Name: Sturisoma panamense
- Common Names: Royal Farlowella, Whiptail Catfish
- Size: 5-8 inches
- Lifespan: Up to 10 years
- Native Distribution: Central and South America
With its long whiplike tail and striking coloration, the Royal Farlowella (also known as the whiptail catfish) is a sight to behold. If you’re looking for something truly unique to feature in your aquarium, consider this uncommon catfish species.
Anatomy and Appearance
The Royal Farlowella (Sturisoma panamense) is known by several names including the twig catfish and whiptail catfish. The name of this species is itself a little confusing, given that it isn’t a true member of the Farlowella genus which is widely accepted as the “whiptail catfish” genus. Rather, this species belongs to the sister genus Farlowella—Sturisoma.
Regardless of its taxonomy, the Royal Farlowella’s appearance is unmistakable. Like other whiptail catfish, it has a long, slender body and grows between 5 and 8 inches long. The nickname twig catfish is a reference to the species’ pattern and coloration. These fish exhibit various shades of brown coloration, typically with lighter tones on top of the head and on the belly with darker colors running along the length of the body.
What really sets this species apart from others that carry the whiptail catfish or twig catfish name is the fins. The Royal Farlowella has particularly long fins—especially the dorsal fin in males of the species. Males also have whisker-like protrusions on the head, making them easily distinguish from females.
Ideal Aquarium Setup
The ideal tank setup for this species replicates the natural habitat both in appearance and water chemistry. The Royal Farlowella is found throughout Central and South America in fast-flowing rivers where the water is highly oxygenated.
Tank Size
Though Royal Farlowella don’t get as large as other freshwater catfish like the common pleco, they can grow up to 8 inches long. A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended, though tank dimensions are more important than water volume. Choosing a tank with a depth at least twice as long as the mature length of the fish’s body is best. This enables the fish to easily turn around as they forage for food.
Water Parameters
The habitat in which Royal Farlowella are found tends to be a little cooler than some Central and South American waters. That said, maintaining a stable tank temperature is important for the health and longevity of this species. The ideal tank temperature range is between 70°F and 79°F.
Water quality is very important for this species. Make sure your tank is equipped with proper filtration—ideally a filter that produces a significant amount of flow. Sponge filters may be appropriate as a backup method of biological filtration but a filter with adjustable flow (such as a canister filter) is a better primary method. Test the tank water weekly and perform water changes as needed to keep ammonia and nitrite levels at 0ppm and nitrate levels as low as possible.
When testing your tank water, check the pH level as well. Royal Farlowella prefer slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Hard water is not recommended for this species—it’s best to keep the water hardness below 10 dGH.
Tank Décor
When decorating a tank for Royal Farlowella, consider the natural habitat they come from and their nocturnal habits. Planted tanks are ideal with additional driftwood and rockwork décor to give your fish plenty of places to hide during the day. Your fish will come out to feed at night when the lights are off.
Though Royal Farlowella may not appreciate bright lighting, it’s important for the health of live aquarium plants. Intense lighting will also encourage algae growth which provides these catfish with a natural source of food. Just make sure to provide caves and dense areas of plants for the fish to hide in when desired.
Diet and Feeding
In the wild, Royal Farlowella feed primarily on algae and biofilm. These will both be important sources of nutrition in a captive environment, though you’ll likely need to supplement the diet of your catfish to keep them healthy.
Royal Farlowella will generally accept a variety of commercial foods, though it’s best to focus on products formulated for herbivores. Algae wafers and spirulina wafers are ideal for a staple diet and you can supplement it with options higher in protein like sinking catfish pellets, freeze-dried krill, and live or frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp. Your catfish may also appreciate having blanched veggies from time to time.
Temperament and Tank Mates
While Royal Farlowella are generally peaceful by nature, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing tankmates.
These fish don’t tend to be very aggressive when it comes to competing for food, so they may be best kept as the only bottom-dweller or algae-eater in the tank. You may still need to monitor feeding time to make sure your catfish is getting enough to eat. You’ll need to feed them out in the open where they have space to maneuver.
If you plan to add Royal Farlowella to a community tank, choose smaller, peaceful species like livebearers, tetras, barbs, and rasboras. It’s best to avoid known fin-nippers, however, like tiger barbs and gouramis. If you keep more than one Royal Farlowella, aim for a ratio of two females for each male.
Breeding Royal Farlowella Whiptail Catfish
Sexing Royal Farlowella is relatively easy. Males tend to exhibit more vibrant coloration and they have more pronounced odontodes (bristles) on the head. As long as you have a male and female, these catfish are relatively easy to breed as well—they just take a while to mature. Your fish won’t be ready to breed until they’re 1 ½ to 2 years old.
To encourage breeding, make sure your tank is well maintained and the water quality is high. Condition the fish with nutrient-rich foods and provide plenty of surfaces for the fish to deposit eggs (like driftwood). Making a water change with slightly cooler water may stimulate breeding.
Female Royal Farlowella can lay up to 150 eggs at a time, generally in small clusters deposited on flat surfaces that get plenty of water flow. These fish don’t tend to eat their own young, but it’s generally easiest to raise the fry separately. The eggs will hatch after 5-7 days and they’ll need access to algae and biofilm for feeding after another day or two.
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