Rineloricaria parva – Common Whiptail Catfish
The scientific name Rineloricaria parva was first described by Boulenger in 1895. Their common name is “Common Whiptail Catfish”. Rineloricaria parva belongs to the family Loricariidae, which is also known as armored catfish. The family Loricariidae includes a wide variety of catfish characterized by their bony armor plates.
The genus name Rineloricaria is derived from the Greek “rhinos” (nose) and the Latin “lorica” (armor) or “loricare” (to cover with armor). This refers to the distinctive nose shape and bony armor of these catfish. The species name “parva” is Latin for “small” or “little,” probably referring to the relatively small size of this fish compared to other species within the genus Rineloricaria.
Synonyms: Hemiloricaria parva, Loricaria parva.
Description
Rineloricaria parva has an elongated, slender body, similar to a twig. The color varies; there are brown/dark brown specimens and red varieties, often referred to as Rineloricaria “parva Red”. The head and flanks often show dark bands or spots, although the exact patterns can vary. The fins are generally light brown with dark markings. This fish has a standard length of up to about 11 centimeters. The total length including the tail and tail filaments can be up to 15 to 20 centimeters.
Gender differences
Distinguishing between male and female specimens can be challenging. However, adult males develop whiskers on their heads and pectoral fins. Further research has shown that males possess hypertrophic odontodes, which are enlarged tooth-like structures, located on the sides and top of their heads, the predorsal plates (the plates situated in front of the dorsal fin), and the tops of the pectoral fins. In contrast, these odontodes are either absent or less developed in females. Behavioral differences between the sexes are primarily observed during reproduction, when the pair defends their territory.
Juveniles vs. Adults
Juvenile Rineloricaria parva exhibit lighter colors and less distinct patterns than adults. The development of sexually dimorphic features, such as barb hairs and odontodes in males, occurs as the fish mature.
Behavior and Temperament
These catfish are typically peaceful and well-suited for community aquariums. They tend to be more active in the evening and at night, so it’s important to provide sufficient hiding spots during the day, such as PVC pipes. While they prefer to live either alone or in small groups, they are bottom-dwellers and can also swim in the middle of the tank. They are not shy fish.
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of Rineloricaria parva in the wild is unknown. However, it can live 5 to 8 years in an aquarium.
Biotope
Rineloricaria parva is native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. In Brazil, it can be found in the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Rio Grande do Sul. In Argentina, this species lives in the Paraná River, while in Uruguay, it inhabits the Uruguay River. Rineloricaria parva primarily resides in rivers, including the Paraguay, Paraná, and Uruguay Rivers, along with their tributaries and streams.
Their natural habitat consists of clear, flowing waters, often associated with banks with partially submerged plants, such as plants of the genus Salvinia in the Brazilian Pantanal. The extent of submerged vegetation can vary, but there are often sufficient hiding places. The banks can be covered with trees or more open.
The bottom consists of fine, rounded sand or gravel, with stones, rocks, wood and branches providing shelter.
Information about their natural predators is limited, but it is likely that they are preyed upon by larger fish and other predators. They do not actively hunt other fish; instead, they primarily feed on algae and other organic matter.
Rineloricaria parva lives in a tropical climate, possibly seasonal variations in water level due to flooding and drought periods.
Diet
Diet in the wild: Rineloricaria parva is a detritivore, meaning it feeds on detritus: fallen plant parts, organic matter, and algae. They graze on algae and biofilm on rocks and plants.
Diet in the aquarium:
In the aquarium, Rineloricaria parva accepts a variety of foods. Suitable options include:
- High quality sinking granules, specially developed for armored catfish.
- Frozen food such as mosquito larvae.
- Vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber and spinach (pre-chopped or blanched to soften them).
- Live food (to a lesser extent).
It is important to provide a varied diet to ensure that the fish receives all the nutrients it needs. It is also advisable to feed small amounts of food frequently rather than large amounts at once.
The Aquarium
An aquarium of at least 100 centimeters in length is sufficient for a group of 3 to 5 Rineloricaria parva. However, a significantly larger aquarium is necessary for multiple groups to ensure enough space for each group.
The setup should include hiding places such as PVC pipes, driftwood, rocks, and caves. A layer of fine, rounded sand is a suitable substrate since the organisms may burrow into it. While plants are not essential, they can be added as long as the light is not too bright. Floating plants can help to reduce the intensity of the light.
The ideal water values are a temperature between 18°C and 28°C, a pH level of 6.0 to 7.5, and a hardness range of 2 to 15°dH.
Suitable tankmates are small characids, Apistogramma species, Corydoras species and other peaceful Loricariids. Avoid aggressive or oversized fish that might dominate or intimidate Rineloricaria parva.
Breeding aquarium and conditioning
No special breeding aquarium is required for breeding Rineloricaria parva. However, if you aim to breed a significant number of young fish, a species-specific aquarium is recommended. The best way to increase your chances of forming a good breeding pair is to start with a group of young fish. By keeping at least six together, one or more breeding pairs will naturally develop.
Set up the aquarium with some breeding caves or pieces of PVC. Make sure they have a diameter of about five centimeters so that the male will fit in. The water may be relatively warm, around 27-28°C, with slightly acidic and soft water.
Condition the parent with green vegetables such as spinach, spirulina, blanched kale, and the like. Occasionally, give them food such as mosquito larvae.
The Spawn
A male fish selects a shelter, cleans it, and attracts a female to lay her eggs. After fertilization, the male takes on the responsibility of guarding the eggs and caring for them by fanning them with his fins. The female does not have any role after laying the eggs. The eggs are typically laid in a shelter, such as a piece of PVC pipe. To protect the young from predation, it is possible to move the pipe containing the eggs to a separate breeding tank.
Raising the Young Fish
The eggs of Rineloricaria parva hatch after about 4 to 5 days. The fry become free-swimming after 2 to 3 days. The male (father) takes sole responsibility for the care of the eggs and the fry. He actively guards their hiding place from intruders and uses his fins to provide the eggs and fry with oxygen. It is advisable to move either the other fish or the tube containing the eggs to a separate tank to prevent predation.
Fry will readily accept finely chopped frozen food as well as pre-cut, soaked greens such as spinach and kale. It is essential for fry to have constant access to food; without it, they can quickly starve. The greens should be soft enough for them to digest easily. To maintain good water quality, it is recommended to perform small water changes daily.
If there are problems with rearing, a large water change (50-70%) with cool water can be performed to lower the water temperature, simulating the natural conditions during the rainy season. It is somewhat difficult to raise the fry in this species.
Particularities
The associated documents contain some additional details about Rineloricaria parva not covered in the previous chapters:
- Identification problems: Identifying Rineloricaria parva can be challenging, even for experts. The genus Rineloricaria contains many similar species, and there is considerable variation in color patterns. Accurate identification often requires knowledge of the origin.
- Taxonomic revision: The genus Rineloricaria has recently been revised, with over 65 recognized species. The taxonomic classification is still under debate. The synonyms Hemiloricaria parva and Loricaria parva are still used, although Rineloricaria parva is the current valid name.
- Sexual dimorphism: Distinguishing between males and females is difficult, but adult males develop whiskers on their heads and pectoral fins. Males also exhibit hypertrophic odontodes (enlarged tooth-like structures) on various parts of their bodies, which are absent or less developed in females.
- Habitat: The species occurs in clear, flowing waters in the Paraguay, Paraná, and Uruguay rivers and their tributaries. It is often found in areas with floating aquatic plants, such as Salvinia in the Pantanal.
- Breeding: Breeding in an aquarium is not always successful, but there are some successful breeding reports. The eggs are sticky and are often laid on a surface such as glass, a breeding cone or in a tube. The male guards the eggs and fry, while the female plays no role after spawning. The incubation period is about 4-5 days, and the fry begin to swim freely after 2-3 days. The fry can be fed finely chopped frozen food and pre-cut vegetables. However, survival rates can be low. The use of pure RO water for water changes is not recommended.
- Body structure: The fish has an elongated, slender body, similar to a twig. The number of lateral plates and the presence or absence of a mid-dorsal plate series are important characteristics for identification.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
Jonas Hansel – Piranha-info.com (original website no longer online)
