Marble Lancer Catfish

fish description – Pinocchio Whiptail Catfish Care Guide ($Hemiodontichthys\ acipenserinus$)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Hemiodontichthys\ acipenserinus$
Common Name	Pinocchio Whiptail Catfish, Knob Nosed Whiptail, Pinocchio Cat
Origin	Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay River Basins (South America)
Adult Size	5–5.5 inches (13–14 cm)
Temperament	Very peaceful, shy, retiring, nocturnal bottom-dweller
Lifespan	5–10 years
Care Level	Moderate (Sensitive to poor water quality and substrate)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A very slender, elongated Loricariid catfish with a camouflage pattern of light brown and dark blotches. Its head is distinctively shaped, with an enlarged, knob-like snout (rostrum). The unique feature of this fish is the male’s lip-brooding of the eggs.
• Coloration: Light brown to tan with fine, dark, irregular, mottled patterns (marble-like). Males develop greatly enlarged mouthparts (a ‘labial veil’) and a longer snout when mature, which is used to carry the egg mass. Females are generally rounder-bodied.
• Fins: Elongated, slender fins with a compressed, diamond-shaped body profile when viewed from above.
• Behavior: A shy, nocturnal bottom-dweller that spends much of its time partially or completely buried in soft sand for camouflage. It is easily out-competed for food by other bottom-dwellers.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (114 liters) is recommended for a small group. Requires ample floor space and high oxygen levels.
• Schooling: Can be kept singly, but a small group (3–4) is advisable to encourage social behavior.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $75^\circ$–$82^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$28^\circ\mathrm{C})$.
• pH Level: Soft, acidic water is preferred: 6.0 to 7.0. This species is very sensitive to poor water conditions (ammonia, nitrite, and high nitrates) and requires a stringent water change regime (40–50% weekly) and good oxygenation.
• Aquascape: Fine, soft sand substrate is absolutely mandatory to allow for natural burrowing and camouflage behavior. Provide plenty of shade, twisted branches/driftwood, and leaf litter. Water movement should be moderate to strong, ensuring high dissolved oxygen.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Pinocchio Whiptail Catfish is an omnivore with a preference for small aquatic invertebrates.

• Staple Diet: Should be specifically fed sinking tablets or pellets (catfish sticks) that are rich in protein and fiber.
• Supplementation: A varied diet of small, meaty frozen or live foods is essential, as they mainly feed on these in the wild: Bloodworms, Daphnia, Chopped Earthworms, and Brine Shrimp. Occasional blanched vegetables (cucumber, zucchini) are accepted.
• Schedule: Feed once daily, preferably just before the lights go out, to ensure this shy, nocturnal fish gets enough food without competition.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Very shy and easily out-competed for food by more boisterous or faster bottom-dwellers (e.g., Corydoras or Loricariids). Avoid overly strong light.
• Good Tank Mates: Small, peaceful characins (e.g., Neon Tetras), docile mid-water fish (Rasboras), and peaceful Dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma) that leave the bottom level undisturbed.