Freshwater
Catfish
More details
Stick Catfish (Acestridium dichromum)
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Description
An extremely rare, twig-like loricariid catfish from South America, Acestridium dichromum is prized for its slender, camouflaged form and minimalist movement. It mimics twigs and algae-covered stems with remarkable precision, making it a living illusion in blackwater or forest stream aquariums.
Difficulty Level
Expert Only
Region
Stick Catfish (Acestridium dichromum)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Highly specialized species—sensitive to transport, diet, and water quality. Requires stable, mature tanks and low-stress conditions.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Still rare in the trade; often wild-caught due to limited captive breeding. Collection must be sustainable.
Origin
Native to slow-moving forest creeks and igarapés of the upper Orinoco and Negro River basins, especially in Venezuela and Colombia. Typically found among submerged twigs and leaf litter.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its ultra-slim body and dull brown tones allow it to disappear in wood-heavy scapes. This fish almost never swims actively, instead perching still like a stick, contributing a cryptic naturalism to biotope-style tanks.
Purpose
Primarily aesthetic—adds authenticity to forest stream biotopes and extreme mimicry to planted layouts. May assist slightly in biofilm control but is not a cleanup crew member in practice.
Importance
Sought after by expert aquarists for its rarity, cryptic behavior, and biotope accuracy. It’s a showcase species for blackwater specialists and South American microhabitat enthusiasts.
Included Resources
Needs driftwood-heavy setups, soft acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), temp 76–82°F, and low current. Dim lighting with floating plant cover reduces stress. Biofilm-rich surfaces are key.
Best Use Cases
Best in South American leaf-litter biotopes or blackwater aquascapes with no competitive tankmates. Often kept in species-only or hyper-peaceful nano communities with precise conditions.
Conservation Context
Its limited distribution makes habitat preservation crucial. Wild populations may face risks from habitat loss or overcollection, though low demand limits impact for now.
Ideal Tank Mates
• Ember tetras
• Pencilfish
• Pygmy corydoras
• Dwarf shrimp (if water matches)
• Apistogramma (peaceful species only, with care)
Region (A)
• Latitude: 1.3456° N
• Longitude: -67.8902° W
(Upper Orinoco River, Venezuela)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 0.4211° N
• Longitude: -64.8974° W
(Negro River tributaries, Colombian Amazon)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Stick Catfish (Acestridium dichromum)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Highly specialized species—sensitive to transport, diet, and water quality. Requires stable, mature tanks and low-stress conditions.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Still rare in the trade; often wild-caught due to limited captive breeding. Collection must be sustainable.
Origin
Native to slow-moving forest creeks and igarapés of the upper Orinoco and Negro River basins, especially in Venezuela and Colombia. Typically found among submerged twigs and leaf litter.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its ultra-slim body and dull brown tones allow it to disappear in wood-heavy scapes. This fish almost never swims actively, instead perching still like a stick, contributing a cryptic naturalism to biotope-style tanks.
Purpose
Primarily aesthetic—adds authenticity to forest stream biotopes and extreme mimicry to planted layouts. May assist slightly in biofilm control but is not a cleanup crew member in practice.
Importance
Sought after by expert aquarists for its rarity, cryptic behavior, and biotope accuracy. It’s a showcase species for blackwater specialists and South American microhabitat enthusiasts.
Included Resources
Needs driftwood-heavy setups, soft acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), temp 76–82°F, and low current. Dim lighting with floating plant cover reduces stress. Biofilm-rich surfaces are key.
Best Use Cases
Best in South American leaf-litter biotopes or blackwater aquascapes with no competitive tankmates. Often kept in species-only or hyper-peaceful nano communities with precise conditions.
Conservation Context
Its limited distribution makes habitat preservation crucial. Wild populations may face risks from habitat loss or overcollection, though low demand limits impact for now.
Ideal Tank Mates
• Ember tetras
• Pencilfish
• Pygmy corydoras
• Dwarf shrimp (if water matches)
• Apistogramma (peaceful species only, with care)
Region (A)
• Latitude: 1.3456° N
• Longitude: -67.8902° W
(Upper Orinoco River, Venezuela)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 0.4211° N
• Longitude: -64.8974° W
(Negro River tributaries, Colombian Amazon)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Stick Catfish (Acestridium dichromum)
Core Details
Highlights
Care Level
/ 10
Highly specialized species—sensitive to transport, diet, and water quality. Requires stable, mature tanks and low-stress conditions.
Environment Impact
/ 10
Still rare in the trade; often wild-caught due to limited captive breeding. Collection must be sustainable.
Origin
Native to slow-moving forest creeks and igarapés of the upper Orinoco and Negro River basins, especially in Venezuela and Colombia. Typically found among submerged twigs and leaf litter.
Visual & Functional Appeal
Its ultra-slim body and dull brown tones allow it to disappear in wood-heavy scapes. This fish almost never swims actively, instead perching still like a stick, contributing a cryptic naturalism to biotope-style tanks.
Purpose
Primarily aesthetic—adds authenticity to forest stream biotopes and extreme mimicry to planted layouts. May assist slightly in biofilm control but is not a cleanup crew member in practice.
Importance
Sought after by expert aquarists for its rarity, cryptic behavior, and biotope accuracy. It’s a showcase species for blackwater specialists and South American microhabitat enthusiasts.
Included Resources
Needs driftwood-heavy setups, soft acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5), temp 76–82°F, and low current. Dim lighting with floating plant cover reduces stress. Biofilm-rich surfaces are key.
Best Use Cases
Best in South American leaf-litter biotopes or blackwater aquascapes with no competitive tankmates. Often kept in species-only or hyper-peaceful nano communities with precise conditions.
Conservation Context
Its limited distribution makes habitat preservation crucial. Wild populations may face risks from habitat loss or overcollection, though low demand limits impact for now.
Ideal Tank Mates
• Ember tetras
• Pencilfish
• Pygmy corydoras
• Dwarf shrimp (if water matches)
• Apistogramma (peaceful species only, with care)
Region (A)
• Latitude: 1.3456° N
• Longitude: -67.8902° W
(Upper Orinoco River, Venezuela)
Region (B)
• Latitude: 0.4211° N
• Longitude: -64.8974° W
(Negro River tributaries, Colombian Amazon)
How Many Can I Keep?
Get smart stocking suggestions based on your tank size.
e.g. 75 gallons (280 L)
Stick Catfish (Acestridium dichromum)
Region
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