Water parameters
Overview
The Pinocchio whiptail gets its name from its long, pointed snout. With its sand-colored, flat body it becomes almost invisible on sandy bottoms in the wild. It spends most of its time motionless, searching for small creatures in the sand.
It has an interesting way of breeding: the male carries the egg cluster laid by the female between the folds of his lips and guards it throughout incubation. During the breeding season the male's lips enlarge noticeably. Adults grow to 13–14 cm.
Tank Setup
- 80 liters for a small group, with a large footprint.
- A fine, soft sand substrate is essential; sharp gravel damages its mouth.
- 25–27°C, clean water and gentle flow.
Diet
It feeds on small invertebrates by sifting the sand. Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia and sinking granules should be given; vegetable tablets are also accepted. It may fall behind in the competition for food with fast-eating fish.
Behavior and Compatibility
Extremely calm and peaceful; it lies motionless on the sand for hours.
Good companions: Small tetras, rasboras, otocinclus, dwarf cichlids, calm groups of corydoras.
Avoid: Cichlids that claim the bottom, greedy and fast bottom dwellers, large plecos.
A short profile for this species
The Pinocchio Whiptail page has the basics, but the sections below have not been written yet. If you keep this species, write a section from your own experience; it will be published under your name after editor approval.
Tank mates
This list is calculated automatically from the species profile and grows as new species are added to the catalog. Try it in the planner for a definite answer.
Usually compatible
Flame Tetra
Glass Tetra
Blackfin Corydoras
Polystictus Corydoras
Emerald Betta
Emerald Cory
Porthole Catfish
Keyhole Cichlid
Cupid Cichlid
Buffalohead Cichlid
Should not be kept together
Hobbyist notes
Things you won't find in books, learned by trial and error. The most helpful ones are on top.
Change history and contributors
- Page created · October 16, 2026