Rineloricaria parva
Rineloricaria parva (Common Whiptail)
Rineloricaria parva (Common Whiptail)
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Remarks: Rineloricaria parva, typically known as the common whiptail, is one of the most often seen species of whiptail catfish in the hobby. They have the usual long, flat body shape and streamers on the fins of dominant males typically associated with these kinds of catfish. R. parva is such a classic whiptail that it can be easily confused with several species and even hybridizes frequently. Two of the most common whiptails it is often confused with are Rineloricaria lanceolata and Rineloricaria aurata. It can be distinguished from R. lanceolata by R. parva lacking the dark color in the dorsal fin R. lanceolata possesses and it can be distinguished from R. aurata by R. parva having banding on the pectoral fins which R. aurata lacks.
In the wild, R. parva can be found in Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil but it is most often known to reside in the Paraguay river basin. Its natural habitat consists of both clear and silty conditions with a soft sand substrate covered in leaf litter. The waters parameters usually are soft with a mild to neutral pH and heavy oxygenation. In captivity, R. parva will do best when these natural conditions are mimicked in the aquarium, but it has been known to be rather hardy for a whiptail catfish that can handle being a bit out of these ranges making them a great beginner choice. One important factor they will not tolerate is in regards to temperatures. R. parva will not tolerate high temperatures like those preferred by discus, quickly growing ill and even perishing. To avoid such an unfortunate event, the temperature of the aquarium should be closely monitored and kept within acceptable ranges.
R. parva are a very peaceful whiptail so combined with their hardy disposition, they can be kept with a number different species in a community situation or in a group of their own kind. The only time they deviate from this peaceful demeanor is when spawning where they will be protective of their eggs and males may spar occasionally. It should be noted that R. parva can’t handle aggressive tankmates and are easily bullied away from food. Therefore, overly aggressive fish and boisterous feeders that may shove these whiptails away during feeding time should be avoided as tankmates.
When it comes to feeding R. parva, there is a wide range of options as they are omnivorous and typically not very picky. To ensure these graceful catfish live long, healthy lives, feed them a diet high in both quality and variety with gel foods, fresh vegetables, and frozen thawed foods such bloodworms all being great choices. If fed well and kept in the right conditions, you may even get your R. parva to breed as it is an easy undertaking compared to most whiptails. If you are trying to breed them and don’t have any success after ensuring all their needs are attended to and you have a sizable group, you can help trigger them to spawn by conducting many large water changes over the course of a few days to simulate the rainy season.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: South America
- Breeding: Wild-caught in Colombia
- Max adult size: 4-5"
- Diet: Omnivore
- Social behavior: Peaceful
- Care skill: Beginner
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 68°F - 75°F
- pH range: 6.0 - 7.5
- TDS range: 25 ppm - 150 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee