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Catfish
/ Loricariidae / Giant Whiptail
Giant Whiptail, Golden Whiptail
Sturisona aureum | Pictures
Synonyms: Loricaria
aureum
Physical description: An elongated species having a flattened, slender body.
The snout is slightly upturned and the
caudal fin is forked.
The dorsal fin is large and tall.
The base body coloration is light brown with
a broad brown marking running from the snout through the caudal fin.
The body and the fins are marked with
other brown markings.
Size/Length: To 12" (30 cm)
Similar species: Other Sturisona
species, Rineloricaria
and
Farlowella species.
Habitat: Inhabits areas having a mud or sand substrate with submerged wood in South America;
Colombia.
S: bottom (substrate dependent)
Aquarium: A tank measuring 40" (102 cm) with a capacity from 45-55 gallons (170-209 L) is sufficient
for fish up to 8" (20 cm) in length.
Use a fine gravel or sand substrate.
The tank can be well-planted with a
moderate current.
Hiding places among wood and rocks are suggested.
In order to thrive, this species must
be provided with algae.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (6.8), 5-15 dH (8), 73-81°F (23-27°C)
Social behavior: A quiet, nocturnal species that may be territorial towards others of its own kind.
Otherwise
an excellent community fish that will not harm smaller tank mates.
This species should not be kept with
large aggressive fish.
Suggested companions: Discus, Angelfish,
Corydoras, Tetras
FOOD: Algae; vegetables; lettuce, spinach, mashed peas; live; insect larvae;
Artemia.
Sexual differences: Males develop cheek bristles during the spawning season.
Breeding techniques: Spawning takes place during the winter months at a temperature around 82°F (28°C).
The
eggs are laid against the sides of the glass and number up to 200.
The eggs are carefully guarded by the
male.
The eggs hatch after 6 days and the fry adhere to the tank's glass.
The fry begin to feed after three days
on algae and tablet foods.
Later the fry accept mashed peas.
A good pair will spawn every three weeks during
the spawning season.
Breeding potential: 6. This species is fairly easy to spawn, although the young may be difficult to rear.
Remarks: This species is sensitive to water conditions and water changes should be preformed
regularly.
Difficulty of care: 7.
A somewhat delicate fish that requires algae on which to feed.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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