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Catfish
/ Callichthyidae / Dwarf Corydoras
Dwarf Corydoras, Pygmy Corydoras, Tail Spot Pygmy Catfish, Mini Spotlight Corydoras
Corydoras hastatus | Pictures
Synonyms:
Microcorydoras hastatus
Physical description:
The body of the Dwarf Corydoras
is slightly more elongated than the "typical" Corydoras shape.
The body is translucent and
white to pale green in color.
The caudal penuncle is marked with black spot which
is surrounded by a thin white marking.
A thin black line extends from the midsection back
to the black marking on the caudal penuncle.
Size/Length: To 1" (2.5 cm)
Similar species: None
H: Along banks of small-moving tributaries of the Paraguay and Amazon
rivers.
South America; Mato Grosso, Brazil
A: middle.
The Dwarf Catfish is a member
of a small group of Corydoras
catfish that swim in mid-water.
This group also includes
C. habrosus
and C.
pygmaeus ,
Aquarium: 16" (60 cm) or 5 gallons (19 L).
The tank should be heavily planted
to provide hiding places for this small catfish.
Although this
Corydoras
is a mid-water swimmer, a fine gravel or sand substrate should be used as the Dwarf Corydoras will
occasionally burrow.
This catfish enjoys swimming into a moderate current
that can be created by a power or canister filter.
The Dwarf Corydoras occasionally
likes to rest on a flat stone or broad leafed plant.
Use bright lighting.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.8 (7.0); 2-20 dH (10); 75-82°F (24-28°C)
Social behavior: A peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with small
and peaceful fish.
This schooling fish should be kept in groups of eight or more.
Do not combine with medium to large sized fish as this cory is an easy meal.
Social behavior: Small tetras,
Apistogramma, Corydoras, Peckoltia, Colisa
FOOD: Small live foods; small aquatic insects, white worms,
Tubifex
, Brine Shrimp, insect larvae; tablets; small flakes; will nibble algae
Suggested companions: Males are usually not more than
3 /
4 " (1.9 cm), while females
reach 1.2 (3 cm) and are plumper.
Breeding techniques: Spawning is initiated by the addition of cooler water.
The eggs are deposited in Java moss.
Transfer the eggs to a rearing
tank.
Start feeding with
Artemia .
Breeding potential: 7.
This catfish is a fairly difficult
to breed.
Difficulty of care: 4.
A hardy fish recommended for
most community tanks with smaller fish.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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