Twig catfish Care Guide

The Twig Catfish, known for its unique appearance, can be a fascinating addition to your aquarium. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you care for this peaceful and social species.

Tank Setup

Twig Catfish are versatile dwellers in the aquarium, residing throughout the tank, from surface to mid and bottom areas. A tank of at least 120 liters is recommended, as they require about 20 liters per fish. They thrive in a habitat that closely mimics their natural environment, which includes plenty of vegetation, driftwood, and rocks to provide hiding spots and surfaces for grazing.

Maintain the water temperature between 24°C and 28°C, and keep the pH level between 6.0 and 8.0. As they are mildly territorial, ensure there is ample space to prevent stress and establish a peaceful community.

Social Dynamics

Twig Catfish are peaceful and have very low aggression levels. They are mildly territorial, hence it is best to keep them in groups of at least six to encourage natural behavior. Their social nature makes them compatible with other peaceful freshwater fish species.

Feeding

Twig Catfish are omnivorous and require a varied diet to ensure optimal health. Their diet should include a combination of flakes, pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, frozen shrimp, vegetable matter, algae wafers, color-enhancing food, daphnia, micro worms, freeze-dried foods, stick-on tablets, and even feeder fish infrequently.

Offer food in small amounts, as Twig Catfish are skilled at grazing and will consume what they need gradually. Observing their eating habits will help you determine the necessary quantity.

Maintenance

The Twig Catfish has a moderate hardiness and requires low maintenance levels overall. Regular water changes and tank cleaning are necessary to maintain water quality and to remove any uneaten food. Provide an abundance of surface areas for algae growth, supplementing their diet and keeping them engaged.

Breeding

Breeding Twig Catfish in captivity can be challenging and requires specific conditions. During breeding, they exhibit no change in behavior, so maintaining a stable environment with optimal water conditions is crucial. Providing flat surfaces for egg deposition, such as slates or large leaves, will facilitate successful breeding.

With appropriate care and a good understanding of their needs, Twig Catfish can be an enduring and intriguing addition to your aquarium community.