Corydoras arcuatus
Elwin 1939 |
his member of the Callichthyidae family
is a well known favourite amongst Corydoras lovers. The
'Skunk' or 'Arched Cory' is sometimes difficult to pick up in
the shops and seems to come and go in periods so you have to snap
them up when seen.
Water conditions are of paramount importance on this species as
the barbels are very susceptible and can very quickly wear away
if the water changes are not adhered to and the bacteria builds
up in the substrate, why this species of Corydoras is effected
more than any other is a mystery to me.
In the following picture you can see the worn down barbels on this
species. Sand would probably be a good bet for the bottom of their
tank, just a light scattering should suffice.
This species is sometimes confused with its longer nosed ‘cousin’ Corydoras
narcissus, but the length of the snout is the main difference,
and also the stripe in narcissus tends to be longer, running
into the lower lobe of the caudal fin.
There seems to be a larger version of arcuatus which in the
trade is passed off as “Super Arcuatus”. It reaches the
same size as narcissus (7cm) but has not got the long snout
of Corydoras narcissus. This species is as of yet, not been
named to science.
Above is a young speciman, and as it grows the black spots will
join up to show the adult black line.
Dorsal 1/7; Anal 1/6; 22-24 bony scutes in
the upper lateral series, 20-22 in the lower.
Grey-yellowish to delicate grey-green; underside
pure white. A broad, dark longitudinal band commences at the corner
of the mouth and passes across the eye into an arched course following
the profile of the back to the root of the tail where it turns abruptly
downwards and, becoming narrower, continues along the lower edge
of the caudal fin. No other markings. Fins colourless; caudal with
fine dark spots and a blackish upper edge.
Will do well in a community setup with smaller
tankmates such as Rasboras and Tetra's. Do not house with aggressive
species or large Cichlids.
Not one of the easiest cory's to breed, but
in one reported spawning a cold water change down to 60f (17c) induces
spawning, with the eggs being laid in Java Moss. Eggs will hatch
in 3 to 4 days. U.K. Corydoras breeder Ian Fuller of the
corycats web
site bred this species in 1980 and reported the usual Cory T-mating
clinch fashion.110 eggs were laid with about 65 of them in the Java
moss the remainder were stuck on the sides of the tank mainly in
the corners. Temperature was 68f (20c) and the eggs hatched in 3
to 4 days. There was a 95% hatch rate.
After the fry are 3 days old, feed microworm,
fry flake then progress on to brineshrimp, keeping up the water
changes. Adults can be fed on the usual good quality aquarium flake
with tablet food and frozen bloodworm being a good diet.
| Etymology |
Corydoras:
Cory = helmeted; doras
= leathery skin,(helmeted Doras) cuirass.
arcuatus : Arched, like a bow, (referring
to the stripe)
|
| References |
Lambourne,
Derek, Corydoras
Catfish, An Aquarists Handbook 1995
Sterba, Günther; Freshwater fishes
of the World Vol.1 1973
Fuller, A.M. Ian, Breeding
Corydoradine Catfishes
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| Synonyms:
|
| None |
| Common
Name: |
| Skunk
Cory, Arched Cory |
| Family: |
| Callichthyidaely |
| Subfamily: |
| Corydoradine |
| Distribution: |
Peru: Loreto, Río Yavari, Lago Matamata |
| Size: |
| 5.5cm ( 2¼ins) |
| Temp: |
| 22-26°C
(71-79°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.5 - 7.2 |
| Donation: |
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