Twig Catfish

Twig Catfish

Farlowella acus

Also known as: Farlowella, Stick Catfish

💧 Freshwater ✌️ Peaceful 🟡 Moderate 🌿 Herbivore

Extremely thin, elongated catfish that resembles a twig. Clings to driftwood and glass, grazing on algae and biofilm.

Tank Size

20 gal
minimum (30+ preferred)

Temperature

73–79°F
23–26°C

pH Range

6–7
water acidity

Max Size

6"
15.2 cm

Lifespan

5–10 years
typical in captivity

Swim Level

Bottom
preferred zone

Care Notes

Sensitive to water quality — needs pristine, well-oxygenated water. Can starve if not enough biofilm and algae are available.

Feeding

Algae, biofilm, blanched vegetables (zucchini, cucumber), and algae wafers.

Compatible Tank Mates

Use Caution With

Incompatible With

Check Compatibility

Want to check if Twig Catfish is compatible with a specific fish? Use our compatibility checker to build your complete tank.