Natterer's Twig Catfish

Farlowella nattereri honours Johann Natterer, the Austrian naturalist who collected extensively in Brazil during the early 1800s. This species is native to the Pantanal region of Brazil, one of the world's largest tropical wetlands, where it inhabits rivers and flooded forests subject to dramatic seasonal water level changes. It is a modestly sized Farlowella with fine reticulated patterning against a tan-brown base.

In the aquarium, this species benefits from a seasonally aware husbandry approach — slightly cooler, higher water in the dry period and warmer, shallower conditions in the simulated wet season can stimulate natural behaviour including spawning. It is somewhat more tolerant of varied water parameters than strict blackwater specialists, reflecting the mixed-water character of many Pantanal rivers.

Farlowella nattereri is peaceful, slow-moving, and easily stressed by rapid changes in water chemistry or aggressive tankmates. It should be introduced into a well-cycled aquarium with stable parameters and given at least a week to acclimatise before feeding is expected.

Water: 22–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard (GH 2–15); tolerates seasonal fluctuation. Tank: 80 L minimum; driftwood, leaf litter, and plants; sand or fine gravel substrate. Feeding: Algae wafers, blanched vegetables, spirulina; biofilm on wood critical during settling. Breeding: Seasonal conditioning with temperature variation; male guards flat-laid eggs. Compatibility: Peaceful community species; Pantanal-themed biotope with piranhas excluded.