Cuckoo Catfish
Synodontis multipunctatus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Species profile
Cowboy Whiptail Catfish
Lamontichthys llanero
Common names: Cowboy Whiptail Catfish
Recognized speciesCatfish
Adult size
Up to 20 cm
Up to 20 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- A keeper who has researched this fish and can match its needs
Think carefully if
- You cannot keep up with regular water changes
A rarely seen, slender whiptail catfish from the Orinoco in Venezuela, with long filaments on its tail. Keep alone or in a small group in 108 litres or more.
Appearance and Identification
A rarely seen, slender whiptail catfish from the Orinoco in Venezuela, with long filaments on its tail.
Check the scientific name when buying, as common names vary between sellers and countries.
Mature males are usually broader in the head, with more bristles on the body or snout.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 430–540 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 100–150 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 108 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 1
- Recommended group size
- 1
- Activity level
- Low
- Flow preference
- High
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Moderate
Provide wood and caves, plenty of oxygen and steady flow. Most are active at night and need places to hide during the day.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Mostly active after dark, spending the day in a cave or under wood.
Usually kept singly or in a small group, in a tank with one cave for each fish.
Males can defend caves against other bottom-dwellers.
A peaceful community fish, with others that like similar water. It may compete for caves with other bottom-dwellers.
Water Parameters
Keep the pH steady, because this fish is sensitive to swings. Keep the temperature steady.
Parameter caveat
Keep up regular water changes, and acclimatise new fish slowly.
Feeding
- Diet types
- Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Sinking pellets or wafersFeed after lights-out if faster fish take everything first.
- Frozen bloodworm and brine shrimpOffer several times a week.
- Blanched vegetablesCourgette or cucumber add variety for fish that graze.
Diet varies by species, from algae and wood to meaty foods. Feed sinking foods after lights-out.
Feed small amounts, and remove anything left after a few minutes.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Parental care
- Variable
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpThe fry can usually take this from the start.
- Crushed flakeA simple addition as they grow.
Lays its eggs on a cleaned surface, such as a stone, leaf or the bottom of the tank, and the parents may guard them. Move eggs or adults if you want to raise many fry.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- South America, Venezuela
- Natural habitat
- Rocky Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Lamontichthys
- Family
- Loricariidae
- Species group
- Catfish, Fish, Other Catfish
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Featherfin Catfish
Synodontis eupterus
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 108 litres
- Temperature
- 22–27 °C
Flagtail Catfish
Dianema urostriatum
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 173 litres
- Temperature
- 25–28 °C
Glass Catfish
Kryptopterus vitreolus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 81 litres
- Temperature
- 20–26 °C