Parnahyba Whiptail (Loricaria parnahybae)
Remarks: The Parnahyba whiptail (Loricaria parnahybae) is a Loricariid with not much known about it as they are uncommon in the hobby. They were first discovered and described after being found in the mouth of a stream that flows into the Rio Parnahyba in Brazil in 1907. Since then, there have been reports of populations being found in a few other coastal streams around northeastern Brazil and French Guiana. The habitats in these areas have slightly warm, soft, acidic water with a good amount of current that provides the high dissolved oxygen levels the Parnahyba whiptail needs to thrive.
A quick look at the nice black and white patterning of the Parnahyba whiptail shows their close relation and similarity to a species of the same genus, the marbled whiptail (Loricaria simillima). The two display the same color changing behavior in response to their mood and environment and have the same overall body shape with a flattened body and elegant trailers on their fins. What has been known to be the most reliable way to tell the two species apart is to look at the length of the snout. The snout of the Parnahyba whiptail is longer than that of the marbled whiptail. This can be rather difficult to identify if you do not have a comparison, but it is currently the best known way to visually differentiate the two.
This genus has a rather fascinating way of caring for their offspring. After mating, the male Parnahyba whiptail gathers up the eggs in his whiskers to hold onto. He will aerate the eggs with his mouth parts, keeping them healthy and safe until the fry hatch and are free swimming when he releases them. In captivity, the fry are very sensitive to change and are prone to starvation so small, frequent water changes should be performed and lots of nutritious food provided.
Like other whiptails, they have long whiskers that help them during feeding and spawning. Their dorsal and caudal fins have long, thin trailers that make for an impressive display. To preserve these sensitive structures, the Parnahyba whiptail should be kept on soft sand and nippy tankmates should be avoided. They are a rather shy and passive species, so extra care should be taken to ensure they get enough to eat. With them being carnivore leaning omnivores, a varied diet of mostly protein rich foods should be provided.
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Description
Remarks: The Parnahyba whiptail (Loricaria parnahybae) is a Loricariid with not much known about it as they are uncommon in the hobby. They were first discovered and described after being found in the mouth of a stream that flows into the Rio Parnahyba in Brazil in 1907. Since then, there have been reports of populations being found in a few other coastal streams around northeastern Brazil and French Guiana. The habitats in these areas have slightly warm, soft, acidic water with a good amount of current that provides the high dissolved oxygen levels the Parnahyba whiptail needs to thrive.
A quick look at the nice black and white patterning of the Parnahyba whiptail shows their close relation and similarity to a species of the same genus, the marbled whiptail (Loricaria simillima). The two display the same color changing behavior in response to their mood and environment and have the same overall body shape with a flattened body and elegant trailers on their fins. What has been known to be the most reliable way to tell the two species apart is to look at the length of the snout. The snout of the Parnahyba whiptail is longer than that of the marbled whiptail. This can be rather difficult to identify if you do not have a comparison, but it is currently the best known way to visually differentiate the two.
This genus has a rather fascinating way of caring for their offspring. After mating, the male Parnahyba whiptail gathers up the eggs in his whiskers to hold onto. He will aerate the eggs with his mouth parts, keeping them healthy and safe until the fry hatch and are free swimming when he releases them. In captivity, the fry are very sensitive to change and are prone to starvation so small, frequent water changes should be performed and lots of nutritious food provided.
Like other whiptails, they have long whiskers that help them during feeding and spawning. Their dorsal and caudal fins have long, thin trailers that make for an impressive display. To preserve these sensitive structures, the Parnahyba whiptail should be kept on soft sand and nippy tankmates should be avoided. They are a rather shy and passive species, so extra care should be taken to ensure they get enough to eat. With them being carnivore leaning omnivores, a varied diet of mostly protein rich foods should be provided.
