Page 126 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

124 FRESHWATER FISH DIRECTORY

Corydoras rabauti Corydoras haraldschultzi Corydoras agassizii
Rabaut’s Corydoras Harald Schultz’s Corydoras Agassiz’s Corydoras

ORIGINS South America, close to the confluence of the ORIGINS South America, occurring in Rio Tocantins and ORIGINS Western South America, where it is found in
Rio Negro and the Amazon, near Tabatinga, Brazil. Rio Araguaia in central Brazil. the vicinity of Iquitos, Peru.
SIZE 2 ⁄2 in (6 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). SIZE 3 ⁄2 in (9 cm).
1
1
DIET Live foods and prepared catfish foods. DIET Live foods and prepared catfish foods. DIET Live foods and prepared catfish foods.
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft to hard WATER Temperature 75–82°F (24–28°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.
The underparts of this corydoras are pinkish, while
the spots along the sides of the body are so close
together that they merge in places to form irregular
stripes. The name of this corydoras commemorates
the late Brazilian fish exporter Harald Schultz, who
brought a number of today’s most popular fish,
including the Blue Discus (see pp.142–143), to the
attention of aquarists around the world.

Spotted patterning
Rabaut’s Corydoras is one of the most striking extends to the fins This attractive corydoras has a patterning of dark
members of the group, thanks to the contrast spots against a reddish background. Sexing is
between its orange background color and its black difficult, although just prior to spawning, females
stripe. It is now usually considered to be synonymous have a more rotund appearance. If you obtain
with Myers’ Corydoras, which occurs in tributaries a small group of these catfish, however, the
of the upper Amazon. Females may lay their eggs at likelihood is that you will have at least one pair
or even just above the aquarium waterline on the among them. Soft-water conditions are most
glass or utilize floating plants for this purpose. likely to encourage breeding behavior.

Corydoras robineae
COMING UP FOR AIR
Robina’s Corydoras The striped patterning of this species is most
evident toward the rear of the body, where black Corydoras originate from rivers and streams
ORIGINS South America, where it occurs in the upper horizontal stripes extend out across the caudal with a relatively low oxygen content. Their
parts of the Rio Negro system, notably the Rio Aiuana. fin. Robina’s and other corydoras prefer subdued gills cannot extract enough oxygen from the
SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm). lighting, which also helps to make their patterning water to sustain them, so these small catfish
DIET Live foods and prepared catfish foods. more apparent. In some lights, there may be have also developed a means of breathing
WATER Temperature 72–79°F (22–26°C); soft to hard iridescence behind the gills and also down the air directly. Every now and again they will
(50–150 mg/l) and acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–7.0). flanks. Like various members of the group, these suddenly swim upward, almost vertically
TEMPERAMENT Peaceful and social. fish should be kept in shoals, rather than singly. from the bottom, and break the water’s
surface. They gulp down a mouthful of air
and dart back down again very quickly to the
substrate. Back on the bottom, the corydoras
supplement their blood-oxygen levels by
absorbing oxygen from the gulp of air,
which they store in their hind gut.

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