Live fish · WA only
Longnose Whiptail Catfish (Sturisoma barbatum)

A long, elegant whiptail that rests on wood like a twig.

Care levelModerate
EasyModerateExpert
Water temperature23 to 27°C
18°C32°C
Adult size20cm
LivesBottom
DietHerbivore
SuitsCommunity tanksLarger tanks

Longnose Whiptail Catfish

Sturisoma barbatum4.8(26)reviews
Moderate carePeaceful
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Live fish delivery, WA only$35 Perth metro and Mandurah, $65 rest of WA. One fee covers your whole order, plants and dry goods included. Sent overnight on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to a street address (no PO Boxes).
Free pickup in KenwickOpen Tue to Sat, 12pm to 6pm

A long, elegant whiptail that rests on wood like a twig.

Care levelModerate
EasyModerateExpert
Water temperature23 to 27°C
18°C32°C
Adult size20cm
LivesBottom
DietHerbivore
SuitsCommunity tanksLarger tanks

Pairs well with this fish

Picked by our team to go with this.

About this fish

Longnose Whiptail Catfish is a peaceful and unusual bottom-dwelling species known for its elongated snout, slender body, and graceful fin extensions. Its calm behaviour and unique appearance make it an excellent feature fish for planted community aquariums with sandy substrates.

Why you will love it

  • Distinctive longnose and whiptail appearance
  • Peaceful and fascinating bottom-dweller
  • Unique body shape adds character to aquariums
  • Excellent for natural and planted setups
  • Approx size: 10–15 cm
  • Thrives in aquariums with sand and driftwood

Care Requirements

  • Care level: Moderate
  • Adult size: 20 cm
  • Temperature: 23 to 27°C
  • pH: 6.0 to 7.5
  • Swimming level: Bottom
  • Minimum group size: 1+

Feeding:
Accepts sinking pellets, wafers, frozen foods, and live foods including bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. A varied diet helps maintain health and activity.

Compatibility:
Very peaceful and suitable for calm community aquariums with other non-aggressive species. Best kept with peaceful tetras, rasboras, corydoras, and dwarf cichlids. Avoid aggressive or highly competitive bottom feeders.

School of Scape quality:
We select healthy, active fish and recommend aquariums with soft sand, driftwood, gentle flow, and stable water parameters for best results. Ensure a gradual acclimation to minimise stress to your new fish.

How your fish arrive

Packed in oxygen filled bags inside an insulated box and sent overnight by air express on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Live arrival

8 hour live arrival guarantee. If a fish arrives dead or clearly stressed from transit, contact us within 8 hours of delivery with photos of the fish in the original sealed bag, and we will replace or refund it. Freight is not refundable, and someone needs to be home to accept the delivery. Remote far north WA (Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley) is sent at your own risk.

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Delivery and returns

Free delivery over $100 in WA and $150 elsewhere in Australia. Free pickup from our Kenwick store, Tue to Sat, 12pm to 6pm.

Returns policy