Care
The Chocolate whiptail catfish has a wide area of distribution and is found in the upper Amazon, middle Amazon (Solimões), the Rio Acre, Rio Purus, and Rio Nhamunda. This is a charming and delicate-looking loricariid that is ideally suited to a quiet, planted aquarium. It is a peaceful fish that is best kept in groups in a mature tank with plenty of shady hiding spots amongst plants, driftwood, slate caves, and PVC pipes. Filtration should be efficient, but water movement fairly gentle. Tankmates should be of similar size and temperament e.g. some of the smaller pencilfish, tetras, and Corydoras species, or dwarf cichlids (Apistogramma/Mikrogeophagus etc). Avoid tankmates that are boisterous at feeding times, as these sedentary little catfish will not compete well.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Offer a varied diet consisting of sinking catfish pellets, algae wafers, and frozen foods such as bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops etc. Provide vegetable matter such as kale and slices of cucumber or courgette on a regular basis.
Breeding
The Chocolate whiptail has been bred in the home aquarium, and well-conditioned fish will breed quite readily, particularly following cool partial water changes. When ready to spawn, a male will select an appropriate cave and clean it thoroughly. If a female is receptive to him, she will deposit her eggs in the cave, which are then fertilised immediately by the male. Once spent, the female takes no further part in broodcare, with the male guarding and tending to the eggs. The eggs, which are greenish gold in colour, should hatch within 6-10 days, with the fry free-swimming 2-3 days later. The young can be offered baby brineshrimp (Artemia nauplii), along with crushed tablet foods and soft slices of vegetables. Be sure to keep on top of water quality, as the fry are very sensitive to deteriorating conditions.
