Black Marbled Whiptail (Loricaria simillima 'Black')
| Black Marbled Whiptail Loricaria simillima 'Black' | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Black Marbled Whiptail |
| Name Lat. | Loricaria simillima 'Black' |
| Family | Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Loricariidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | N-South America |
| Habitat | Rivers, streams |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 5.6-7.8 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Mouthbrooder |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 18 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Hardness | 2-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 250 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 7" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Hardness | 36-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 65 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The Black Marbled Witch Catfish is a color morph. The Marbled Witch Catfish is widely distributed in the flowing waters of Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. They live in shallow water preferentially on sandy bottoms among fallen leaves, sunken logs, branches and roots protruding into the water.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting with roots, round stones, clay tubes and caves (hiding places) and free sandy areas of fine-grained sand covered with some foliage (oak, sea almond tree). Subdued light and a medium current are ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
They feed on animal food. The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality, protein-rich dry food for loricariids (granules, pellets, chips, tablets) as well as zooplankton, cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, shrimp, etc. (live or frozen).
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are calm, peaceful catfish that are somewhat territorial only during spawning season and are very suitable for a community tank with other calm fish. It is recommended to keep them in pairs or in a group of 3-5.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Sexually mature males have a distinctly enlarged mouth and spawning females are rounder
Reproduction and breeding
They are paternal mouth brooders. The male picks up the egg ball in a "lip pocket" for mouth brooding. The egg ball is aerated by moving the mouthparts. After 10-15 days, the larvae hatch and brood care is complete. After another 2-3 days, the fry, about 10 mm in size, have consumed their yolk sac and begin to feed on their own. The fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii, microworms, Cylops, fine dry food)
In community tanks breeding is hardly possible, because the fry are easy prey.
Important
In the large distribution area there are some differently colored variants. For example, dark-colored individuals occur in humic-rich blackwater habitats and light-colored individuals occur in sediment-rich white-water rivers. It is still unclear whether these are site variants or distinct species. When catching, fine-meshed nets should be used as much as possible so that the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) do not get caught on the bone plates, which can cause painful puncture wounds when touched.
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (1997): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 5, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF