Page 125 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

CATFISH/CORYDORAS 123

Corydoras melanistius Corydoras paleatus Corydoras pygmaeus
Black Sail Corydoras Peppered Corydoras Pygmy Catfish

ORIGINS South America, where it is restricted to the ORIGINS South America, occurring in southeastern parts ORIGINS South America, occurring in Brazil in the Rio
Orinoco River in Venezuela. of Brazil and the La Plata basin, Argentina. Madeira and its tributaries.
SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm). SIZE 2 ⁄4 in (7 cm). SIZE 1 in (2.5 cm).
1
3
DIET Live foods and prepared catfish foods. DIET Live foods and prepared catfish foods. DIET Live foods, algae, and prepared catfish foods.
WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); soft to hard WATER Temperature 66–79°F (19–26°C); soft to hard WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft to hard
(50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). (50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0).
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social.
A striking silvery background is the backdrop for These tiny corydoras are the smallest members of
the irregular rows of spotted markings extending the group, as their name suggests. Aside from their
over the body of these corydoras. There is a black size, however, they can be distinguished by their
band through each eye and a dark area at the front pattern of horizontal black stripes, with the
of the dorsal fin. It is not easy to distinguish the central stripe broadening near the dorsal fin. They
sexes, but females can be identified at spawning tend to swim throughout the tank more than most
time as they swell with eggs. Black Sail Corydoras corydoras, which usually prefer the lower reaches.
have been bred successfully in aquariums. A small shoal of Pygmy Catfish will make ideal
Lower lobe smaller
than upper lobe companions for other small, nonaggressive fish.
Black at the front
of the sail-
like dorsal fin The Peppered Corydoras, one of the most widely
kept species in the group, has black spots on the
flanks that may sometimes fuse together to create
a banded appearance. Iridescence may also be
evident over this part of the body. This was one of
the first tropical fish to be bred in Europe, having
been spawned successfully in Paris in 1878,
and it will reproduce readily in aquariums. Peppered
Corydoras are relatively hardy fish.

FEEDING BY TOUCH

One of the most distinctive features of
corydoras catfish is the presence of six barbels
arranged in pairs around their extendible
mouthparts. Two pairs are located above the
upper jaw, with the longest pair occasionally
extending as far back as the gill openings. The
third pair of barbels, which are very short and
relatively inconspicuous, are on the chin itself.
The mouth, situated on the underside of the
body, enables these fish to feed by swimming
just above the substrate and combing the
surface with the barbels for edible items.
Corydoras are also very efficient excavators,
digging into the substrate with their
mouthparts and using the barbels, which
are covered in touch-sensitive cells, to
direct them toward small worms and other
concealed creatures. Sand rather than gravel
is sometimes used as a substrate in an
aquarium for corydoras, since it allows the
fish to dig more easily. The drawback to sand,
however, is that it is more likely to become
compacted, so it needs to be turned over with
a spoon at regular intervals. Since corydoras
will rest on the substrate, any buildup of
dirt here is likely to damage their barbels. To
guard against this, use a gravel cleaner when
a partial water change is undertaken.

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