Freshwater
Catfish
More details
Red Lizard Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria sp. “Red”)
Pro
Pro
Description
A uniquely elongated catfish with vibrant red-orange coloration and a whip-like tail. Peaceful, hardy, and full of personality, it’s a popular bottom-dweller for planted aquariums.
Difficulty Level
Beginner Friendly
Region
Red Lizard Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria sp. “Red”)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Very hardy and adaptable to most community tanks. Needs gentle flow and a soft substrate for burrowing.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Mostly captive-bred and widely available. Minimal impact on wild populations.
Origin
Originally bred in captivity, but derived from Rineloricaria species found throughout slow-moving rivers of South America, particularly Brazil and Colombia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its slender, armored body and reddish hue stand out against greenery and dark substrates. The long tail and fins give it a graceful, slow-moving presence.
Purpose
Acts as a peaceful scavenger that gently stirs substrate. Helps reduce uneaten food and light algae without damaging plants or disturbing tank layout.
Importance
Excellent for beginner tanks or planted aquascapes. Its rare coloration and calm behavior make it a functional and aesthetic asset to the lower levels of an aquarium.
Included Resources
Prefers sandy or fine gravel substrate, driftwood, and hiding spots like caves or leaf litter. Does best with moderate flow and high oxygenation. Sponge filters or gentle canisters are ideal.
Best Use Cases
Great for South American biotopes, blackwater aquascapes, and community tanks with peaceful fish. Perfect for tanks with shy species that avoid bottom-level competition.
Conservation Context
Red morph is a captive-developed color strain with no wild counterpart, making it an ethical and sustainable choice for hobbyists.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Ember and neon tetras
• Pencilfish and rasboras
• Apistogramma and dwarf cichlids
• Corydoras
• Freshwater shrimp and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1190° S
• Longitude: -60.0217° W
(Manaus, Brazil – Rio Negro basin, where wild types originate)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 3.4516° N
• Longitude: -76.5320° W
(Cali, Colombia – Cauca River system, part of the natural range of Rineloricaria spp.)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Red Lizard Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria sp. “Red”)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Very hardy and adaptable to most community tanks. Needs gentle flow and a soft substrate for burrowing.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Mostly captive-bred and widely available. Minimal impact on wild populations.
Origin
Originally bred in captivity, but derived from Rineloricaria species found throughout slow-moving rivers of South America, particularly Brazil and Colombia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its slender, armored body and reddish hue stand out against greenery and dark substrates. The long tail and fins give it a graceful, slow-moving presence.
Purpose
Acts as a peaceful scavenger that gently stirs substrate. Helps reduce uneaten food and light algae without damaging plants or disturbing tank layout.
Importance
Excellent for beginner tanks or planted aquascapes. Its rare coloration and calm behavior make it a functional and aesthetic asset to the lower levels of an aquarium.
Included Resources
Prefers sandy or fine gravel substrate, driftwood, and hiding spots like caves or leaf litter. Does best with moderate flow and high oxygenation. Sponge filters or gentle canisters are ideal.
Best Use Cases
Great for South American biotopes, blackwater aquascapes, and community tanks with peaceful fish. Perfect for tanks with shy species that avoid bottom-level competition.
Conservation Context
Red morph is a captive-developed color strain with no wild counterpart, making it an ethical and sustainable choice for hobbyists.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Ember and neon tetras
• Pencilfish and rasboras
• Apistogramma and dwarf cichlids
• Corydoras
• Freshwater shrimp and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1190° S
• Longitude: -60.0217° W
(Manaus, Brazil – Rio Negro basin, where wild types originate)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 3.4516° N
• Longitude: -76.5320° W
(Cali, Colombia – Cauca River system, part of the natural range of Rineloricaria spp.)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Red Lizard Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria sp. “Red”)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Very hardy and adaptable to most community tanks. Needs gentle flow and a soft substrate for burrowing.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Mostly captive-bred and widely available. Minimal impact on wild populations.
Origin
Originally bred in captivity, but derived from Rineloricaria species found throughout slow-moving rivers of South America, particularly Brazil and Colombia.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its slender, armored body and reddish hue stand out against greenery and dark substrates. The long tail and fins give it a graceful, slow-moving presence.
Purpose
Acts as a peaceful scavenger that gently stirs substrate. Helps reduce uneaten food and light algae without damaging plants or disturbing tank layout.
Importance
Excellent for beginner tanks or planted aquascapes. Its rare coloration and calm behavior make it a functional and aesthetic asset to the lower levels of an aquarium.
Included Resources
Prefers sandy or fine gravel substrate, driftwood, and hiding spots like caves or leaf litter. Does best with moderate flow and high oxygenation. Sponge filters or gentle canisters are ideal.
Best Use Cases
Great for South American biotopes, blackwater aquascapes, and community tanks with peaceful fish. Perfect for tanks with shy species that avoid bottom-level competition.
Conservation Context
Red morph is a captive-developed color strain with no wild counterpart, making it an ethical and sustainable choice for hobbyists.
Ideal Aquatic Animals
• Ember and neon tetras
• Pencilfish and rasboras
• Apistogramma and dwarf cichlids
• Corydoras
• Freshwater shrimp and snails
Region (A)
• Latitude: -3.1190° S
• Longitude: -60.0217° W
(Manaus, Brazil – Rio Negro basin, where wild types originate)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 3.4516° N
• Longitude: -76.5320° W
(Cali, Colombia – Cauca River system, part of the natural range of Rineloricaria spp.)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Red Lizard Whiptail Catfish (Rineloricaria sp. “Red”)
Region
Drag and orbit around the species’ natural range.
Drag to rotate and discover where this species originates in the world.
Drag to rotate and discover where this species originates in the world.
People also like…
