Lanceolate Whiptail (i Think)

[dwarfgourami]

They had these, or something very similar in the lfs yesterday, labelled black whiptail. Very small, about 2 inches in length, so juvies I reckon. Thin bodies, black spot on otherwise almost transparent dorsal, beautiful long filaments on the tail.

But I really do NOT have the accommodation for them, I don't suppose a tankful of boisterous backslapping bristlenoses and greedy platies is what they want at all, and another tank would almost certainly spell divorce, and he is a very good husband really- so could you just sit on my head!!! Please!!!
Fortunately, I was at the shop with two little chaperones who took firm and decisive action (Mummy, I want to go home, my throat hurts, I want my teaaaa).

On the other hand, my heart is wrung by the thought that they will probably be sold to someone's uncycled tank, there to live with tiger barbs and Chinese Algae Eaters and never a water change in sight.

If anyone out there has kept these little fellas, could you just talk to me gently about them, what they're like, what they need...until the madness has passed and given way to a gentle regret. (they couldn't live temporarily, could they, in a 19 gallon with corys, until they've grown a bit)

 

[Bloo]

Have definitely verified that they are Rineloricaria lanceolata ?

 

[DarkEntity]

They are lovely looking cats.....sigh, my locals seem to keep nothing but bloody Common or Marble Sailfins

 

[dwarfgourami]

Have definitely verified that they are Rineloricaria lanceolata ?

Well, only in the very amateurish sense of "they look like them". Haven't done any counting of the rays in the dorsal or whatever you might have to do to tell rineloricaria apart. They are definitely a whiptail, anyway.