Royal Twig Catfish (Sturisomatichthys panamense)

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Royal Twig Catfish
Sturisomatichthys panamense
Royal Twig Catfish (Sturisomatichthys panamense)
Name Royal Twig Catfish
Name Lat. Sturisomatichthys panamense
Synonym Sturisoma panamense
Family Suckermouth Armoured Catfishes
Family lat. Loricariidae
Order Catfishes
Order lat. Siluriformes
Origin Panama, Colombia
Habitat Tributaries, forest streams
Diet Limnivore, soft wood
pH 6.5-7.5
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Group
Care Level Difficult
Reproduction Substrate spawner
Breeding Moderately difficult
Life Span 8-12 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 20-25 cm
Temperature 26-29 °C
Hardness 5-15 °dH
Aquarium ~ 300 l
US Units
Size 8"-10"
Temperature 79-84 °F
Hardness 89-267 ppm
Aquarium ~ 80 gal

Distribution and habitat

The range of the Panama Bearded Catfish extends from Panama through Colombia to Ecuador.  Their coloration and markings are very variable. They live in jungle streams and rivers, prefers in the current between stones and dead wood and 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 diurnal fish. Several Panama Bearded Catfish should always be kept together. They are very peaceful within the species and towards other fish and can be socialized well with other calm fish

Basically, only compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.

Sex dimorphism

Sexually mature males have bristles on both sides of the head.

Reproduction and breeding

They are so-called open brooders. The eggs are glued disc-shaped on 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

They can also scrape off wood with their powerful sucking mouths, and they have intestinal flora that allows the fish to digest the cellulose

When catching them, use the finest mesh nets 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: Werner Winter; Image: petdata 

Source: BMEL (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 2, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF