{"product_id":"african-whiptail","title":"African Whiptail","description":"\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"qsmrlh\" data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"170\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e🐟 African Whiptail Catfish (\u003cem data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"146\"\u003eRineloricaria\u003c\/em\u003e spp. \/ related species)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"gk9icx\" data-start=\"172\" data-end=\"190\"\u003e📌 Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"644\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"vljd5o\" data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"232\"\u003eCommon name: African Whiptail Catfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"rqefbh\" data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"405\"\u003eScientific classification: Often confused with South American \u003cem data-start=\"297\" data-end=\"312\"\u003eRineloricaria\u003c\/em\u003e; true African species include genera like \u003cem data-start=\"355\" data-end=\"372\"\u003eLoricariid-like\u003c\/em\u003e catfish (less common in trade)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"y2sz4d\" data-start=\"406\" data-end=\"564\"\u003eAppearance:\n\u003cul data-start=\"422\" data-end=\"564\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"vd7qwo\" data-start=\"422\" data-end=\"456\"\u003eLong, slender “whip-like” tail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"9edhmy\" data-start=\"459\" data-end=\"498\"\u003eElongated body with armored plating\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1s0xy3g\" data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"564\"\u003eEarthy tones (brown, tan, sometimes striped) for camouflage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"14p9vbm\" data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"619\"\u003eSize: ~10–15 cm (4–6 inches), depending on species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"oc1e04\" data-start=\"620\" data-end=\"644\"\u003eLifespan: ~5–8 years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"646\" data-end=\"649\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"jy07nr\" data-start=\"651\" data-end=\"675\"\u003e🏡 Tank Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"676\" data-end=\"960\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"8wciir\" data-start=\"676\" data-end=\"728\"\u003eTank size: Minimum 75–100 liters (20–30 gallons)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1s8es8q\" data-start=\"729\" data-end=\"797\"\u003eSubstrate:\n\u003cul data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"797\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ih12li\" data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"797\"\u003eSoft sand preferred (protects delicate underside)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ch7z1w\" data-start=\"798\" data-end=\"892\"\u003eDecor:\n\u003cul data-start=\"809\" data-end=\"892\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"giivvl\" data-start=\"809\" data-end=\"843\"\u003eDriftwood and caves for hiding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"17khqig\" data-start=\"846\" data-end=\"892\"\u003eLeaf litter can help mimic natural habitat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"bphfeq\" data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"922\"\u003eLighting: Low to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1qdjwb3\" data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"960\"\u003ePlants: Optional, but appreciated\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"965\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1jpsqj7\" data-start=\"967\" data-end=\"990\"\u003e💧 Water Parameters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1149\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"bpswam\" data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1025\"\u003eTemperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1w9iit9\" data-start=\"1026\" data-end=\"1041\"\u003epH: 6.0–7.5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1xdwf8y\" data-start=\"1042\" data-end=\"1072\"\u003eHardness: Soft to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"xrp7ha\" data-start=\"1073\" data-end=\"1107\"\u003eWater flow: Gentle to moderate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1to23lv\" data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1149\"\u003eRequires clean, well-oxygenated water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1151\" data-end=\"1154\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"q9n990\" data-start=\"1156\" data-end=\"1168\"\u003e🍽️ Diet\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1392\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1pz6hvf\" data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1211\"\u003eOmnivore with a preference for protein\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"5zshe4\" data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1322\"\u003eFoods:\n\u003cul data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1322\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"osyhz3\" data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1253\"\u003eSinking pellets and wafers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1tnpnu7\" data-start=\"1256\" data-end=\"1299\"\u003eFrozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"17zsq7k\" data-start=\"1302\" data-end=\"1322\"\u003eSmall live foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"q2704m\" data-start=\"1323\" data-end=\"1392\"\u003eMay graze on biofilm and algae, but \u003cstrong data-start=\"1361\" data-end=\"1390\"\u003enot a primary algae eater\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1394\" data-end=\"1397\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"gq5yi7\" data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1427\"\u003e🐠 Behavior \u0026amp; Tank Mates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1fqeu0n\" data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1453\"\u003eTemperament: Peaceful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"udeojm\" data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1478\"\u003eZone: Bottom dweller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"12qex7c\" data-start=\"1479\" data-end=\"1617\"\u003eTank mates:\n\u003cul data-start=\"1495\" data-end=\"1617\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"15ile0u\" data-start=\"1495\" data-end=\"1563\"\u003eGood: Peaceful community fish (tetras, rasboras, small cichlids)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1uk4b56\" data-start=\"1566\" data-end=\"1617\"\u003eAvoid:\n\u003cul data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1617\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"50qzeq\" data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1617\"\u003eAggressive or large predatory fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"18akem0\" data-start=\"1618\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003eCan be kept singly or in groups if space allows\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1671\" data-end=\"1674\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"uh9plq\" data-start=\"1676\" data-end=\"1701\"\u003e⚠️ Special Care Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1702\" data-end=\"1869\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"dk3jpd\" data-start=\"1702\" data-end=\"1744\"\u003eNocturnal or most active at dusk\/night\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"l9kw5e\" data-start=\"1745\" data-end=\"1788\"\u003eShy—needs hiding spots to reduce stress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ngsfr9\" data-start=\"1789\" data-end=\"1824\"\u003eSensitive to poor water quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"r3e9au\" data-start=\"1825\" data-end=\"1869\"\u003eNot very competitive—ensure it gets food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Coastal Aquariums-Freshwater Fish","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48180867858664,"sku":null,"price":225.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/5752\/2307\/files\/390_the_weird_and_wonderful_world_of_whiptails.jpg?v=1775053664","url":"https:\/\/coastalpets.co.za\/products\/african-whiptail","provider":"Coastal Pets","version":"1.0","type":"link"}