Dwarf Royal Twig Catfish (Sturisomatichthys leightoni)

Dwarf Royal Twig Catfish Sturisomatichthys leightoni
Name	Dwarf Royal Twig Catfish
Name Lat.	Sturisomatichthys leightoni
Family	Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat.	Loricariidae
Order	Catfishes
Order lat.	Siluriformes
Origin	Colombia
Habitat	Streams, tributaries
Diet	Limnivore, soft wood
pH	6.5-7.5
Behavior	Nocturnal, peaceful
Keeping	Group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Substrate spawner
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Life Span	N/A
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	15 cm
Temperature	20-25 °C
Hardness	10-20 °dH
Aquarium	~ 250 l
US Units
Size	6"
Temperature	68-77 °F
Hardness	178-356 ppm
Aquarium	~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the Leightons Sturgeon Catfish is the Rio Magdalena and the Rio Cauca in Colombia. They live in jungle streams and rivers, preferably in the current between stones and deadwood as well as roots that protrude into the water.

Maintenance

The aquarium should have a loose planting, with stones as well as roots, which serve as a hiding place and at the same time are part of their diet. A substrate of round gravel, sufficient swimming space and oxygen-rich water with current is 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 eat the vegetable cover (growth) of stones, wood, plants, etc. and the microorganisms contained therein. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality dry food for loricariid catfish (granules, pellets, chips, tablets), supplemented with algae leaves, soft wood and fresh vegetables, such as zucchini, broccoli, bruised peas or scalded spinach, plus occasional small amounts of zooplankton, cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. (live or frozen)

Feed only as much as will be eaten within a few minutes, excluding plant foods. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They are crepuscular to nocturnal and should be kept in a group. Internally and towards other fish they behave very peacefully and can be socialized well with other calm fish.

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water conditions and water temperature should be socialized

Sex dimorphism

In the slimmer males, the first dorsal fin ray is greatly elongated and they have whiskers.

Reproduction and breeding

They are so-called open brooders. The eggs are glued to a leaf, the aquarium glass or other substrate. The males guard the clutch. The larvae hatch after about 6 days and swim free after another 3 days.

Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food. In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the young fish are easy prey.

Important

When trapping, use the finest mesh nets possible to prevent the hard rays of the pectoral fins or the skin teeth (odontodes) from becoming 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: Ruinemans Aquarium B.V.

Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF