An undescribed, highly sought-after whiptail catfish native to the blackwaters of the Orinoco basin. It gets its 'Crying' moniker from the striking dark parallel stripes running through its eyes. They are extremely peaceful, sedentary bottom-dwellers that require fine sand to partially bury themselves. Uniquely, males are paternal 'lip-brooders', carrying egg clusters on their specialized lower lips.
Crying Whiptail At a Glance
Crying Whiptail Tank Requirements
Will Crying Whiptail fit in your tank?
Care guides tell you what Crying Whiptail needs, the next question is whether your tank can safely provide it. Test Crying Whiptail against your tank size, maintenance needs, and the fish you already keep before you buy.
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Crying Whiptail Water Parameters
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Crying Whiptail Temperament & Compatibility
Crying Whiptail Varieties
Each variety inherits the species defaults above. Only differences are highlighted.
Standard / Unsexed
The standard form typically found in the aquarium trade, often sold as juveniles. They require dim lighting, leaf litter, and strictly fine sand substrate to thrive. While they can be kept singly, they do well in small groups of 4+.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Juvenile
Male
Mature males develop an enlarged lower lip and extensively branched rictal (lip) barbels, which they use to actively carry and incubate egg clutches until hatching.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Male Whiptail, Lip Brooder
Female
Mature females lack the exaggerated lip structure and highly branched barbels of the males, and possess a slightly narrower head profile.
Same care requirements as the base species
Also known as: Female Whiptail
Crying Whiptail Care Guide Summary
The Crying Whiptail, scientifically known as Loricaria sp. "Rio Atabapo", belongs to the Catfish family group. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 18 cm and have a depressed body shape with a moderate growth rate. Classified as peaceful, this species primarily occupies the bottom zone of the aquarium and produces a low level of biological waste.
To thrive, the Crying Whiptail requires a freshwater only aquarium with a minimum volume of 120 litres and a tank length of at least 90 cm. Water temperature should be maintained between 23°C and 28°C, with a pH range of 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 1–12 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Due to its specialist needs, the Crying Whiptail is best suited for fishkeepers who can provide a carefully planned setup. This species is available in 3 varieties: Standard / Unsexed, Male, and Female. Each may differ slightly in size, temperament, or care needs, so it is worth checking the specific requirements of the variety you plan to keep.
Crying Whiptail Habitat Setup
When setting up an aquarium for the Crying Whiptail, a moderate water flow best suits their natural preferences. Because this species occupies the bottom zone, the aquarium layout should prioritise sufficient floor space with hiding spots among rocks, wood, or dense planting. Useful additions include a sand substrate to accommodate their sifting behaviour, driftwood, which can serve as both a hiding place and a dietary supplement, leaf litter or blackwater tannins to replicate their natural soft-water habitat, and floating plants to diffuse overhead light and create shaded areas. Keepers should note that expect substrate disturbance, so lightweight décor should be secured.
Crying Whiptail Compatibility Notes
Classified as peaceful, the Crying Whiptail is adaptable and can be kept singly or in a small group, offering flexibility when planning a community tank. When choosing tankmates, boisterous or fast-moving tankmates may cause this species undue stress. Selecting tankmates that favour different water layers from the bottom zone can help reduce competition and territorial overlap.
Crying Whiptail Recommended Tank Sizes
Standard aquarium sizes that meet the minimum volume and length requirements for Crying Whiptail.
40 Gallon Breeder
55 Gallon Standard
60 Gallon Breeder
75 Gallon Standard
90 Gallon Standard
125 Gallon Standard
Show 9 more tank sizes
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Frequently Asked Questions About Crying Whiptail
How big does Crying Whiptail get?
Crying Whiptail (Loricaria sp. "Rio Atabapo") typically reaches a maximum adult size of approximately 18 cm. They have a depressed body shape and a moderate growth rate.
What tank size does Crying Whiptail need?
A minimum aquarium volume of 120 litres and a tank length of at least 90 cm are recommended for Crying Whiptail. This ensures enough swimming space and helps maintain stable water conditions.
What water parameters does Crying Whiptail need?
Crying Whiptail thrives in freshwater only conditions with a temperature range of 23–28°C, a pH between 5.5 and 7.5, and a general hardness of 1–12 dGH. A moderate water flow is preferred.
Is Crying Whiptail peaceful or aggressive?
Crying Whiptail is classified as peaceful with an aggression score of 1 out of 10. They are generally well-suited to peaceful community tanks.
Can Crying Whiptail live alone?
Yes, Crying Whiptail can be kept singly or in a group. They are flexible and adapt well to both setups.
Does Crying Whiptail have any special tank requirements?
Yes. Crying Whiptail benefits from sand (sifters), leaf litter/blackwater, driftwood (digestion/hiding), and plants - floating in the aquarium. These features help replicate their natural habitat and promote overall health and well-being.
Top Tank Mates for Crying Whiptail
These fish are strong compatibility matches for Crying Whiptail based on water preferences, temperament, adult size, and tank behavior.
Lyretail Killifish
Aphyosemion australe
Ideal Tank MatesGreen Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon simulans
Ideal Tank MatesGarnet Tetra
Hemigrammus pulcher
Ideal Tank MatesMoonlight Gourami
Trichogaster microlepis
Ideal Tank MatesDwarf Rasbora
Boraras maculatus
Ideal Tank MatesDwarf Pencilfish
Nannostomus marginatus
Ideal Tank MatesPlants That Suit Crying Whiptail
These plants pair well with Crying Whiptail based on shared water preferences, layout fit, and how likely they are to hold up in the same aquarium.
Afzel's Anubias
Anubias afzelii
Anubias Barteri
Anubias barteri
Belinda's Buce
Bucephalandra belindae
Buce Motleyana
Bucephalandra motleyana
Christmas Moss
Vesicularia montagnei
Congo Anubias
Anubias heterophylla
Fish Similar to Crying Whiptail
Parnahyba Whiptail Catfish
Loricaria parnahybae
A distinctive, slender armored catfish native to the Parnaíba River basin in Brazil. Known for its extremely elongated tail and flattened body, it blends perfectly with sandy substrates. It is a peaceful, fascinating bottom-dweller. Like other members of the genus Loricaria, they are remarkable 'lip brooders', where males carry clusters of eggs attached to their enlarged lower lips until they hatch.
Common Whiptail Catfish
Rineloricaria eigenmanni
A highly distinctive, slender, and peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish from South America. Known for its extremely elongated tail and excellent camouflaging abilities. They are non-aggressive grazers that feed on biofilm, aufwuchs, and sinking foods. Their rigid, twig-like bodies mean they need broad, smooth resting places.
Loricaria spinulifera
Loricaria spinulifera
Loricaria spinulifera, sometimes known as the Spiny Whiptail Catfish, is a highly camouflaged, slender bottom-dweller endemic to the deep river channels of the Amazon and Rio Negro basins. Adapted to low-light environments, it possesses reduced eyes and prominent thorn-like sensory odontodes on its head. It is an extremely peaceful detritivore that absolutely requires a soft sand substrate to sift for food without damaging its delicate mouthparts.
Loricaria lundbergi
Loricaria lundbergi
A slender, highly camouflaged whiptail catfish native to the deep, blackwater river channels of the Rio Negro and Rio Madeira basins. Unlike many suckermouth catfish, they are primarily insectivores and detritivores, actively sifting through the substrate for aquatic insect larvae rather than eating algae. They are peaceful, facultative air-breathers that require a soft sand substrate to prevent damage to their delicate mouths.
Marbled Whiptail
Loricaria simillima
The Marbled Whiptail is a fascinating, large-growing but extremely peaceful species of Loricariid. Native to South American rivers, they spend most of their time camouflaged on the substrate. A distinctive feature is their reproductive method: males are lip-brooders, carrying the egg mass in an enlarged lower lip fold. They require clean, well-oxygenated water and a fine sand substrate to thrive.
True Julii Corydoras
Corydoras julii
A highly sought-after, peaceful schooling catfish native to the lower Amazon. They feature distinctive fine black dots on their heads (unlike the reticulated, maze-like lines of the commonly mislabeled 'False Julii', C. trilineatus) and a black-tipped dorsal fin. As obligate bottom-dwellers, they continuously sift through the substrate and strictly require soft sand to prevent erosion and infection of their delicate sensory barbels. They are highly gregarious and must be kept in groups.