Twig Cats

[Cheep-Cheep]

My local pet shop just got these in yesterday:

I'm not terribly familiar with the Farlowella species, but I know they're notoriously difficult to ID. Having said that, can anyone impart to me some wisdom with these, or any tips in general for ID-ing them? I'm a little worried, because they got six fish in, and even though I'm no expert here, it would appear at least 2 of them have a noticeably shorter rostrum than the others. So, I'm afraid it may be multiple species mixed together. Thanks much everyone.

[Mol_PMB]

Yes, they're very difficult to identify and often come in in mixed-species groups.

Rostrum shapes can be useful, another distinguishing factor is the number of rows of scales on their belly. Good to know where they were exported from as well, if possible.

There is a species ID key somewhere in an academic paper but I can't lay my hands on it right now. I'll try and find it later. I didn't find it very useful to be honest, it would have been easier if I was dealing with preserved dead fish...

The good news is that they're relatively peaceful and don't mind being kept in mixed-species groups (in my experience of F.vittata and F.mariaelenae). Mine showed no tendency to cross-breed; only the F.vittata breed for me.

[Bas Pels]

Do be carefull, even if you are certain the fish all came in the same shipment from the same exporter.

I once saw, in a group of Geophagus, a cichlid, among the fiishes which were expected a few others - from somewhere else. I think the exporter might have thought the tank empty, or did not see the fishes were different species.

With your Farlowella the same can have happened. So take a look at every fish you buy before buying it