Royal Farlowella

Remarks:  The royal farlowella is one of the better known whiptails within the hobby and has become highly desirable for many reasons. They tend to not be quite as expensive as other, less common whiptails and tend to be hardier while still being a fantastic looking fish. Their coloration of a tan body combined with a dark brown or black headband and saddle marking make for a naturally beautiful contrast. What the royal farlowella is most known for, however, is their impressive trailers that extend out from the caudal fin and sometimes even the dorsal fin in some specimens. These trailers flow through the water like graceful ribbons creating a truly elegant look. Sexing mature fish is fairly easy as females tend to have rounder bodies and males have impressive "beards" made up of odontodes.

  In the wild, royal farlowella are most often found in the Rio Magdalena and its tributaries in Columbia. It can be found in both fast-moving areas of clear water, as well as more sluggish and tannin stained sections. Both areas have very clean water free of pollutants and but also having plenty of algae, wood, and vegetation for the royal farlowella to graze on. In the aquarium, this species has proven to be hardier than most whiptails but still requires soft, acidic, and pollutant free conditions to thrive and look their best. A diet high in vegetable matter as well as wood to graze on is needed for proper nutrition and digestion with fresh vegetables like zucchini being a great treat. With their herbivorous diet, these whiptails can be a good addition for algae control.

  As the royal farlowella is a very docile species, they can be kept with a number of other species that require their same water parameters. This makes them a great choice to be housed with many different tetra species, dwarf cichlids, and Corydoradinae. Territorial fish, especially those that also like to perch on structures or rest on the bottom like the royal farlowella does, should be avoided as these timid fish rarely fight back and can be easily outcompeted for food. Fish that are nippy such as many species of danio should also be avoided as they are very likely to bite off the beautiful trailers this species is known for. With these needs in mind, the royal farlowella can be a great addition to many tanks, especially planted tanks and peaceful South American communities.