Sturisoma
barbatum (Kner,1854) |
his Sturisoma
species is called the Long-Nosed Whiptail as you can see in the
accompanying photograph, it is in fact reminiscent of a Farlowella
species being long and slender. Sturisoma barbatum
can be seen often during the daylight hours as this is not quite
so much a nocturnal species compared to others in this genus.
Good water conditions are a priority, with
a careful watch on Nitrates which in my experience Loracariids
do not do well in if they get too high, so regular water changes
are a must or they will succumb pretty quickly.
A good water current is called for giving a high oxygen content
in a tank that is at least 3' 0" long as this species
can get quite large and needs plenty of room in an under stocked
tank. Due to the southern catchment area they would need
to be kept at not too high a temperature.
|
Sturisoma barbatum
- showing nose
|
Remarks: The work
carried out by Covain et.al. 2015 confines the Sturisoma
genera to east of the Andes (cis-Andean), and the Sturisomatichthys
genera restricted to the west of the Andes (trans-Andean).
Breadth of body at at level of last anal
fin ray about 4 times in the distance from the latter to the caudal
fin (Regan, 1904). Pectoral fin spine extending to middle of ventral
fin. Abdomen with 3 series of plates between lateral series; an
anal plate bordered anteriorly by 3. Caudal fin emarginate. On adult
males the sides of the head are armed with bristles.
Ground colour of head and body brownish, ventral
region paler. Fins with dark spots or bars confined to the rays.
In common with the Sturisoma genus
it is very peaceful so you should not mix it with any fin nipping
species as the long filaments to the caudal fin can be a magnet
for this behavior. Provide large flat stones or roots for this species
as it likes to "sprawl" out full length so needs this
priority to fulfill this entitlement.
Not yet known but is sure to be similar to
Sturisoma aureum where eggs are usually placed on the glass
sides of the tank where the male guards the eggs and cleans them
for up to 8 days, and when released from their egg cases will be
ignored by the parents. A good first food is greens and brine shrimp.
| Sexual
Differences |
Males can be differentiated
from the females as having cheek and head bristles, with
the females being that bit heavier looking.
|
| Feeding |
Algae and green foods are a must for the parents
as well as the fry featuring lettuce, peas, cucumber and courgette
(zucchini). They will also eat on occasion good quality flake food
and frozen bloodworm.
| Etymology |
Sturisoma:
With a body like
a sturgeon.
barbatum: Bearded, alluding to the
bristles on the cheeks of adult males.
|
| References |
Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl
1985 Aquarien atlas. Band 2. Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und
Heimtierkunde GmbH, Melle, Germany. 1216 p.
Catfish Association of Great Britain
Volume 1
Covain, R., S. Fisch-Muller, C. Oliveira, J.H. Mol, J.I.
Montoya-Burgos and S. Dray, 2015. Molecular phylogeny of
the highly diversified catfish subfamily Loricariinae (Siluriformes,
Loricariidae) reveals incongruences with morphological classification.
Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 94:492-517.
© 
|
Brazil
Paraguay: Paraguay River basin, Rio Cajuba.
