Info on Chameleon Whiptail Catfish

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Loganfish

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jun 3, 2024
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Hello! I want to get a Chameleon Whiptail Catfish for my 55 gallon and want some info. Care difficulty, Diet, etc. Any species if fine as long as I get info.

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While I'm not fluent in these species, I have kept a Royal Loricarid. They are quiet and usually stay hidden in plain sight (camouflage). Pretty much nocturnal. They move like a dragon when they swim (really cool to watch, trust me). They eat algae wafers (they don't hunt for algae like bristlenose plecos, so don't use it as an algae eater), shrimp, and whatever else can fit in their small mouths. They have long trailing fins, so don't put them with fish that would be tempted or are known to be fin nippers. Also, I would recommend a small group of them; they are very small and thin but long, so they won't take up much space. I would say the minimum for one is 30 g, but larger would be needed for a group (and would be preferred all around).

Also, ensure you target-feed them if you have more assertive feeders in the tank. Unfortunately, I lost mine because he was underfed and outcompeted by his tankmates.

I'm assuming the care for the chameleon whiptails is similar to that of the royals but always do your own research for specific species.
 
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Here's a great site with info about catfish and related species. I've never kept them but I'd guess their care is similar to that of an omnivorous pleco. Keep them around 78-84 F and feed veggie and meaty foods
 
They get like 8" and are very hard to come across/expensive, like upwards of $150 ea
 
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I've seen a few in my lfs going for under $100 so I guess just comes down to your location and if they are being imported
Not sure if even this is affordable for a 13 year old
 
My lfs usually gets one or more of a species of sand dwelling Loricariids, as I call them, in their shipments. Usually they get ones in for lower ish prices. Seen them sell them for as low as $40 ish and as high as $100-$150. Usually around $40-$80 range. I can usually get more expensive things it’s just a matter of working my butt off doing chores and occasionally selling old things for profit.
 
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This is Sturosoma panamense, found in the rivers of eastern Panama, it is always found in association with fallen, submerged leaf litter, in a fairly high current situations.
Unlike the South Amercan species, which are often from low pH, soft waters, these were caught in pH waters of 8.2 and above.
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This is Sturosoma panamense, found in the rivers of eastern Panama, it is always found in association with fallen, submerged leaf litter, in a fairly high current situations.
Unlike the South Amercan species, which are often from low pH, soft waters, these were caught in pH waters of 8.2 and above.
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Very cool! Only problem and questions are: how to acquire these? I’d assume they’re crazy expensive. Also do they hide in sand? It’s ok if not because it looks cool but I’m mostly looking for a sand dwelling Loricariid.
 
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