Chocolate-colored Catfish (Rineloricaria lanceolata)

Family: Loricariidae

Chocolate-colored Catfish — a Loricariidae from 南美洲, peaceful; most activity happens after dark. Reaches 9.2–13.5 cm; keep bottom stock light — they share one floor. 25–28 °C.

Care parameters

Water temperature
25–28 °C
pH
6–8
GH hardness
5–19 dGH
Adult length
9.2–13.5 cm
Minimum tank
219 L
Water layer
Bottom-dwelling
Difficulty
Moderate
Temperament
Peaceful; most activity happens after dark
Origin
南美洲

Species overview

Loricariidae species Rineloricaria lanceolata comes from 南美洲. A whiskered bottom resident whose day begins when the lights go off. It lives on the bottom. Adults reach 9.2–13.5 cm. Keep bottom stock light — they share one floor. Feed sinking foods after lights-out, keep the sand soft, and never let nitrate climb unnoticed. Maintain 25–28 °C at pH 6–8. A rewarding species for the aquarist who reads before buying.

Native biotope

Habitat
Warm freshwater streams and lakes
Flow
Still to gentle current
Dissolved O₂
Moderate oxygen levels

Aquascape & hardware

Substrate
Fine sand and gravel
Hardscape
Driftwood and smooth stones
Plants
Hardy common aquarium plants

Temperament, diet & tankmates

Schooling
Keep bottom stock light — they share one floor
Diet
Omnivorous scavenger — sinking pellets, frozen and vegetable foods
Recommended tankmates
  • Mid-water schooling fish — Use the space catfish ignore
Avoid keeping with
  • Fast surface feeders — Leave nothing for the bottom

Breeding & notes

Sexual dimorphism
Subtle external differences
Breeding method
Spawning rarely seen; presumed crevice egg-layer