All Fishes ⇒ Loricariidae ⇒ Loricariinae ⇒ Rineloricaria  |  | 

  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniVentral view showing key ID features.
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniMale hatching eggs.
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniHabitat: Venezuelan llanos in the dry season
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniLateral view
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniMale sitting on green eggs
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniMale with eggs
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniOdontodes on male's head, cheeks & pectoral fins
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniPair, female to left
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniSix month old juvenile
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniFry
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniClose-up of tail
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniDorsal view
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniClose-up of head
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniClose-up of pectoral fin
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniColor variation
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniMale
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanni2.5 months old, 30 mm TL
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniMale
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniVentral view
  • Rineloricaria eigenmanniClose-up of caudal fin
Hop to next section All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name Rineloricaria eigenmanni    (Pellegrin, 1908)
Common Name Common Whiptail Catfish
Type Locality Sarare, Venezuela.
Synonym(s) Hemiloricaria eigenmanni, Loricaria eigenmanni
Pronunciation rhine lor ee kar ee ah. - EYE gn MAN eye.
Etymology Greek, rhinos = nose + Latin, lorica, loricare = cuirass of corslet of leather. Species named in honour of Dr. Carl H. Eigenmann, Professor of Ichthyology in Indiana (1863-1927).
Hop to next section Species Information
Size 102mm or 4" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification This is a very common species. Easily identified by the combination of barred fins and the dark lines on the ventral sides of the tail.
Sexing Males grow short spines in the top of their heads and pectoral fins.
Hop to next section Habitat Information
Distribution South America.
Orinoco (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Negro, Lower Negro, Branco (Roraima) (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category
Least Concern
, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2020.
pH 6.0 - 7.4
Temperature 24.0-29.0°C or 75.2-84.2°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Needs neutral, soft water to initiate spawning.
Hop to next section Husbandry Information
Feeding Adaptable omnivores, these fish will eat most foods from cucumber or zucchini slices to frozen bloodworm or dry flake foods. User data.
Furniture Rounded stones, sticks, and leaves over sand. The fish should be provided with half-pipe type refuges which also often be used as spawning sites.
Compatibility Peaceful and not territorial, will not harm even the smallest fry.
Suggested Tankmates See article.
Breeding See article.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France v. 33 (no. 6/7), pp 125.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There are 12 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2025 Jan 01 12:02 (species record created: 2003 Aug 08 00:00)