Farlowella tail "fringes"

Taratron · Post by **Taratron** » 25 Aug 2004, 03:49

I have 2 Farlowellas, species unknown, in my planted 29 gallon tank. Tank has a few zebra loaches, and some cories in there, and a trio of banjo cats, etc. The twig cats have grown nearly an inch each in the four months I have had them, and their tail filaments are growing nice and long as well! Water change schedule is 50% twice a week.

My question pertains, in fact, to another farlowella in a tank at the zoo where I work. The tank in question is lightly planted, 125 gallons, with 15 cardinal tetras, 2 discus, 3 amano shrimp, and 10 green cories. But this farlowella does not have filaments. Water change schedule is 15-30% once a week, sometimes twice.

The species appear very similar, perhaps even the same. So why doesn't the twig in the larger, less populated tank, have long filaments as well?

Post by **Shane** » 25 Aug 2004, 06:15

It could be that the cichlids, or even shrimp, keep the filaments under control on the one at the zoo. There is also a bit of individual variation. I have had tanks that held only Rineloricaria and Farlowella and some always develop longer tail filaments. I do not think it is related to sex, but could be related to age, dominance, or just individualism.
-Shane