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Paraguay twig catfish (Farlowella paraguayensis) — Loricariidae

Paraguay twig catfish

Farlowella paraguayensis
Family: Loricariidae

The Paraguay twig catfish (Farlowella paraguayensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Loricariidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
17.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Snake-like
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Paraguay twig catfish is a twig catfish (Loricariidae) from fresh water of the Paraguay basin in South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an extraordinarily thin, elongate, bony-plated, brownish body with a long, pointed snout and a sucker mouth underneath, with which it stunningly resembles a twig. As a bottom-dweller it clings to roots, branches and stones in flowing water and rasps algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Paraguay twig catfish?

The Paraguay twig catfish has a snake-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Paraguay twig catfish live?

The Paraguay twig catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Paraguay twig catfish get?

The Paraguay twig catfish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Paraguay twig catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Paraguay twig catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Paraguay-twijgmeerval sourced
English name
Paraguay twig catfish sourced
Scientific name
Farlowella paraguayensis
Family
Loricariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.5 verified
Body shape
Snake-like sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Farlowella

More from the family Loricariidae

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