Witch catfish - Rineloricaria fallax - 8-10cm

The slender, long backward extended witch cat fish or dwarf loricariid Rineloricaria fallax from South America has a pretty brown pattern. Witch catfish belong to the loricariid family. They can grow to a length of about 12 cm and are therefore also a case for smaller aquariums from 80 cm side length. In their natural biotope they are often found in streams with a strong current in low water. In nature they live in clear, unpolluted, clean water. Therefore, an oxygen-rich stream aquarium or stream biotope aquarium is perfect for them. However, you can also keep Witch Catfish in a regular aquarium, but again they need a good current and organically low polluted water.

The witch catfish is a peaceful fellow. You should keep these beautiful loricariids as a pair or in a small group. Single keeping is not appropriate for the species. Witch catfish need enough hiding places in the aquarium, as they like to sit in caves. Without sufficient hiding places, the males may start fighting. With peaceful fish and with dwarf shrimps or also with fan shrimps you can socialize Rineloricaria fallax very well. With crayfish you should be rather careful, because the witch catfish occupy the same hiding places and can therefore be pinched.

In an aquarium where witch catfishes are to be kept, the catfishes must be provided with sufficient soft wood, such as bog pine , to scrape off. Loricariid catfish need the fiber from the wood for healthy digestive activity! Caves and other hiding places are also needed by Rineloricaria fallax in the aquarium to be able to avoid each other if necessary.

Witch catfish males can be identified by their whiskers - appendages on the sides of their head. They also show bristles on their bodies that females do not have. Witch catfish can be bred in the aquarium. Witch catfish are cave breeders, and narrow tubes are readily selected by females for spawning. After spawning, the males guard the clutches and clean the up to 200 eggs until the young Witch Catfish have hatched.

Witch Catfish can be kept well in soft to medium hard water in the aquarium and at a water temperature of 25-30 °C, they are not very demanding as long as the water is clean and rich in oxygen.

Witch Catfish as omnivores like to search for food in the aquarium substrate. Algae eat these loricariids rather not so strongly. Rineloricaria fallax readily accepts green food, soft vegetables and brown autumn leaves , but witch catfish will also eat frozen food and special wafers or tabs for loricariids.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all aufwuchs feeding sucking catfish in the aquarium is a balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain the NatureHolic active ingredient complexes, which provide the sucking catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration.

Our plant recommendation: For planting, use NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.