Corydoras hephaestus
is described from the upper Rio Machado, Rio Madeira
basin, Rondônia State, Brazil. The new species
can be distinguished from its congeners by the absence
of contact between the posterior process of the parietosupra
occipital and the nuchal plate; a ventral laminar
expansion of the infraorbital 1 conspicuously developed;
and the posterior margin of the pectoral-fin spine
with serrations along almost of its entire length,
only lacking in the distal portion. Additionally,
Corydoras hephaestus possesses dorsal and
pectoral spines short, and exhibits an unusual colour
pattern in life (Ohara et al 2016). Habitat:
The species can be captured in many types of environment,
from lakes and streams to large rivers. Often found
in shallow depths or in marginal regions, usually
associated with sandy or muddy bottoms (Tencatt &
Britto, 2016).
Colouration:Pectoral and
pelvic fins hyaline. Anal fin hyaline or red. Black
on remaining parts of body, except on ventralportions of head and abdomen. Sexual
Dimorphism: Male specimens of C. hephaestus
can exhibit a lanceolate genital papilla, feature
also common to all Corydoradinae (see Nijssen &
Isbrücker, 1980; Britto, 2003). In addition,
males present small, sharp odontodes on dorsal surface
of pectoral spine just adjacent to fin membrane. This
feature is observed in some Scleromystax
Günther, 1864 species (Britto et al. in press).
Lineage: Included in Lineage 8 (sub-clade
2) with the "intermediate long-snouts" with
deeper bodies. Aquarium Care: A tank
setup would entail a soft substrate such as sand or
a small gravel and a nice plant covering around the
back and sides of the aquarium. If housed in a community
tank a mixture of small South American characins or
the smaller varieties of Asian Rasboras would suffice,
as larger fishes would intimidate these shy Cory's,
and would stop them eating and would be therefore
detrimental to their overall health. Diet:
A good quality flake food and tablet food for adults
with sparodic feedings of frozen or live food will
keep your Corydoras in good health. Etymology:
The specific epithet hephaestus is from the Greek,
Hçaiostoç (or Hëphaistos), the
Greek god of fire, metalworking, forges, and blacksmiths.
Alluding to the red colour of the body and fins. A
noun in apposition.
Common
Name:
Fireball Cory
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Callichthyidae
Distribution:
South America:
Brazil, Upper Rio Machado, Rio Madeira basin. Type
Locality: Tributary of Igarapé Piracolina,
near road BR-364, upper Rio Machado, Rio Madeira basin,
Vilhena, Rondônia State, Brazil, 12°48'56''S,
60°06'37''W, elevation 585 meters.
Size:
Male 3.5cm (1½ins) Female:
4.0cm (1¾ins)
Temp:
-
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Reference:
Alexandrou, Markos
& Taylor, Martin. (2011). Evolution,
ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
Ohara, Willian &
Tencatt, Luiz & Britto, Marcelo. (2016).
Wrapped in flames: Corydoras hephaestus, a new remarkably
colored species from the Rio Madeira basin (Teleostei:
Callichthyidae). Zootaxa. www.corydorasworld.com
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