Omg Its The Farlowella

[Rex740]

I'm not sure if i can have one of these exotic catfish. Its is called the Farlowella. I found out camoflauges as a piece of plant so im not sure. My tank isnt realliy well planted. I only have 2 fake plants really. I also dont have many hiding spots. Will the Farlowella do OK with not that many plants? To see pics of my tank goto the "arachnid, amphibian, marine reptile" thread and look at the thread called Dojo loach and amano shrimp, there should be some pics of my tank there.

 

[LisaLQ]

If they're anything like my rineloricaria whiptails, they need plenty of hiding spaces as they're extremely shy. I'm thinking the same would be true for farlowella, but I'll let someone else answer that one.

I'd stick some real plants in there and some bogwood for hiding on/under (and eating), and you should be ok

 

[dwarfgourami]

The other big consideration is to make sure they are not outcompeted for food, as could easily happen in a community tank.

 

[Rex740]

Outcompeted for food? I'm not really sure. The algae wafer is gone with in 20 minutes. I have 2 dojo loaches, a chinese algae eater, and the rest of my fish eat it too.

 

[rob newland]

Mine used to be very shy but now it just sits either on the side, on my bogwood/rocks or on a plant leaf.
If its going in your 48g that is plenty big enough.
I would say it should be fine .
Rob

 

[Rex740]

Do yours stay out during the day? Or are these fish Strictly nocturnal?

 

[LisaLQ]

Actually, now you've mentionned it, I'm thinking if there's a chinese algae eater in there, I'd leave getting one. CAE are notorious bullies and a shy plec wouldn't last 5 seconds.

 

[Rex740]

Well my CAE is only 2 inches long and he never bothers anybody. I also have a rubbernose pleco (Im swaping him for the Farlowella). Are you sure he will bully?

 

[LisaLQ]

Once they hit 4" they turn really nasty, and it's not just my experience either - it's generally thought they're one of the worst fish to have in a community tank. They can also get to 10", so imagine a 10" bully in there with a shy whiptail. It might work, but it's more likely not to.

 

[Bloo]

Once they hit 4" they turn really nasty, and it's not just my experience either - it's generally thought they're one of the worst fish to have in a community tank. They can also get to 10", so imagine a 10" bully in there with a shy whiptail. It might work, but it's more likely not to.

I can very much vouch for that. I've had a few CAE's over the years - and they all change temperament no later than the 4" mark. Though many even way before then and as small as 2". So be very careful. I for one will never buy a CAE again and think they should be banned from sale.

I also had a 10" one that eventually went on to live in our tropical pond. A real beauty, but not suitable for a fish tank.

 

[Rex740]

Well when he does get aggresive ill give him back. But Lisa, does your farlowella stay out during the day? Because i heard they are strictly nocturnal. Also, i am going to go get it in 3 days when theres a re-stock of all the fish. Im worried they might be sold out by then. They only had about 6 of them and they were $7.99 each.

 

[GuppyDude]

Iv had this one CAE for a little over a year now, and i haven't had much trouble. He's about 3.5-4 inches right now, and besides being quite territorial with a pleco that used to be in there, iv seen no monster. In fact, i beleive he thinks he's a cory, because he shoals with the pair iv got in there now. Purhaps mine has not matured yet, but he is a beutifiul fish, and definately the life of my guppy tank.

 

[LisaLQ]

Well when he does get aggresive ill give him back. But Lisa, does your farlowella stay out during the day? Because i heard they are strictly nocturnal. Also, i am going to go get it in 3 days when theres a re-stock of all the fish. Im worried they might be sold out by then. They only had about 6 of them and they were $7.99 each.

Like I said, I only have rinoloricaria, another species of whiptail, not farlowella. Mine do come out, but are easily scared, but they'll come out at feeding time now - then scuttle off back under some bogwood

Can you ring and reserve one (or two)? I'd be wary of getting one as soon as they come in - as with many plecs they could be suffering from lack of gut flora from the length of time they're in transit with no food, and could be very hard to acclimatise. Some more sensitive plecs (and I dont know if farlowella is one of them) can starve to death because there's no bacteria in their gut left to process the food - even if they eat. It's best to leave any species of plec in the store for at least a week (in the more sensitive plecs - 2-3 weeks minimum) to make sure you get a healthy one that wont die on you

 

[DiscusAngel]

i had one that came out all day! but when changing tanks he died as i put him in to quickly i want to get anotherill never forget myself!! i wouldnt get one with a CAE as ther very sensitive. get rid of your plec and CAE for one or two

Gl

 

[Rex740]

ill keep the CAE and see how they do. Also, i have 2 dojo loaches, will they bother the Farlowella?