Toothpick Fish (Farlowella acus)

The Toothpick Fish is a fascinating and unusual freshwater catfish renowned for its incredibly slender body, elongated snout, and incredible camouflage abilities. Often described as a “twig catfish”, this peaceful species is a perfect choice for aquarists looking to add something truly unique to a planted aquarium.

With its long, stick-like body and natural brown, grey, and olive colouring, the Toothpick Fish closely resembles a piece of driftwood or a submerged branch. This remarkable adaptation allows it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, helping it avoid predators in the wild.

Despite their unusual appearance, Toothpick Fish are peaceful, gentle creatures that spend most of their time attached to surfaces such as wood, rocks, and aquarium glass. They use their sucker-like mouth to graze on natural biofilm and algae, making them fascinating to watch as they slowly explore the aquarium.

Native to South America, particularly areas of the Amazon and Orinoco river systems, Toothpick Fish inhabit slow-moving rivers, flooded forests, and streams with abundant vegetation and submerged branches. These environments are rich in driftwood, leaf litter, and natural algae growth, which provide both food and shelter.

🌿 Why Choose Toothpick Fish?

🪵 Incredible twig-like appearance and camouflage ability
🌿 Perfect addition to heavily planted aquariums
🐟 Extremely peaceful community species
✨ One of the most unusual freshwater catfish available
🧹 Naturally grazes on algae and biofilm
🌱 Complements natural aquascapes with wood and plants
💚 Gentle nature suitable for peaceful community tanks
🏆 A fantastic alternative to traditional algae-eating fish

📏 Care Requirements

🧬 Scientific Name: Farlowella acus
📛 Common Name: Toothpick Fish, Twig Catfish, Whiptail Catfish
🏠 Tank Size: 80L+ recommended for an adult or small group
📏 Adult Size: Approximately 15–20cm
🌡️ Temperature: 22–28°C
⚗️ pH Range: 6.0–7.5
💧 Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water (2–15 dGH)
🧘 Temperament: Very peaceful
🍽️ Diet: Algae, biofilm, blanched vegetables, spirulina wafers, sinking algae pellets, and occasional frozen foods
👥 Group Size: Can be kept singly, in pairs, or small groups if enough space is provided

🏡 Aquarium Setup

Toothpick Fish thrive in mature, well-established aquariums that replicate their natural river environments.

An ideal aquarium should include:

🌿 Dense planting
🪵 Plenty of driftwood
🪨 Smooth rocks
🍂 Natural leaf litter
💧 Gentle water movement
🌱 Mature surfaces with algae and biofilm growth

Driftwood is especially important, as Toothpick Fish naturally spend much of their time resting on submerged branches. They use their camouflage to remain almost invisible while grazing on the natural organisms growing across the wood.

A soft sand substrate is recommended, although smooth fine gravel can also be suitable. Sharp substrates should be avoided as they may damage the delicate body of this species.

Excellent filtration and regular water changes are essential. Toothpick Fish are sensitive to poor water quality, particularly elevated ammonia and nitrate levels.

🐠 Compatibility

Toothpick Fish are exceptionally peaceful and work well in calm community aquariums.

Suitable tank mates include:

✅ Small tetras
✅ Rasboras
✅ Corydoras
✅ Peaceful gouramis
✅ Small livebearers
✅ Other peaceful catfish
✅ Freshwater shrimp

Avoid keeping them with:

❌ Aggressive cichlids
❌ Large predatory fish
❌ Fin-nipping species
❌ Boisterous fish that compete heavily for food
❌ Large plecos that may outcompete them for grazing areas

Their slow movements and gentle nature mean they are best kept with similarly peaceful species.

🍽️ Feeding & Behaviour

Although often purchased as an algae eater, Toothpick Fish require a varied diet and should not be expected to survive on aquarium algae alone.

Their diet should include:

🌿 Spirulina-based wafers
🥒 Blanched courgette and cucumber
🥬 Soft vegetables
🟢 Algae tablets
🪵 Natural biofilm from mature driftwood
🦐 Occasional frozen foods such as bloodworm

They are most active during the evening and nighttime, often slowly moving around the aquarium searching for food.

Because they are naturally camouflaged, they may appear to “disappear” within a planted aquarium. This is completely normal and part of their natural behaviour.

⚠️ Important Notes

Toothpick Fish are best suited to mature aquariums rather than newly set-up tanks. Young or unstable aquariums often lack the natural biofilm and grazing surfaces they require.

They are more delicate than many common algae-eating catfish and can struggle if water quality declines.

Avoid handling Toothpick Fish unless necessary, as their slender bodies are easily injured. If moving them, use a container rather than a traditional net, as their long spines and body shape can become caught.

Unlike many plecos, Toothpick Fish are not aggressive or territorial and can often be kept in groups when provided with enough hiding places and feeding areas.

With the correct setup, they are a fascinating centrepiece species that brings a unique natural appearance to planted aquariums.