Care
The Crying Whiptail is known only from the Rio Atabapo, Colombia. Here the water has a moderate current, and flows over sandy substrates interspersed with rocks, but has little in the way of aquatic vegetation. These sedentary, elongate bottom-dwellers are best kept in a spacious, mature aquarium. Provide a large expanse of soft sand substrate (gravel must be avoided) with a number of shady hiding places amongst driftwood and rocky caves. As these fish prefer dim lighting, open expanses of sand in brightly lit tanks should be shaded with large, broad-leaved plants such as Anubias tied to the decor (rooted plants will be dug up) or floating plant species. These fish will usually remain partially buried during daylight hours, and the addition of dried leaf litter would further help to emulate the natural environment. Blue moon lighting (which switches on just before the main lights go out) will allow you to spend time observing these fish under their preferred subdued illumination. Crying Whiptails are peaceful towards their own kind and should be kept in groups. Tankmates should be of similar size and temperament, and ideally occupy the mid to upper levels. The presence of such fish swimming around in open water may even encourage these reclusive catfish out into view a bit more. Observe carefully to ensure that none of the other fish are continually nipping away at the inactive, partially buried catfish. Good filtration along with frequent partial water changes are essential for keeping nitrogenous wastes to a minimum; however, the actual water flow within the aquarium should not be excessive. Although this fish remains undescribed at present, the ''Crying'' common name was coined in reference to the two distinctive dark parallel lines that run through the eyes, from the snout to just before the dorsal fin.
Feeding
Offer a variety of small, meaty frozen foods such as bloodworm, white mosquito larvae, black mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, daphnia etc. as well as different sinking catfish pellets/granules. If there are other fish present in the tank, make sure your Crying Whiptails are not missing out, target feeding with frozen foods near their resting places using a baster if necessary, and offering some foods after lights out.
Breeding
This species is a paternal lip-brooder and has been bred in the home aquarium. After spawning, the male carries the fertilised egg mass supported by his well-developed branched labial (rictal) barbels, and remarkably, during this time he will still bury into the sand. He will lip-brood the eggs for around 10-16 days, after which time the fry will emerge with large yolk sacs.
