ur
first factsheet of 2015 brings us back to the most
popular catfish family of all, the Callichthyidae,
and along with the Loricariids they vie for the top
spot in our affections and with the relative ease
of breeding they are of course one of the first catfish
to make it on to our list when we get into this fascinating
part of our great hobby. We have decided to go with
one of the oldest Corydoras in the hobby which stretches
back many years now, namely the "Fairy Corydoras",
C. atropersonatus.
Corydoras
atropersonatus
C.
atropersonatus is similar looking to three other
species, C. sychri, C. kanei and Corydoras sp.
C097. There are also other species that come into
the realm of these colour patterns. The differences
on the aformentiond four are as follows.
C.
atropersonatus:
Head shape: short snout. Spots and dashes on body.
Light silver grey body colour. All fins hyaline. Size:
4.5cm. (1¾ins) Male: 5.0cm. (2ins) Female (Lineage
9).
C.
sychri: Head
shape: elongated with short snout. Spots on body.
Light silver grey body. All fins hyaline. Size:
6.0cm. (2¼ins) Male: 6.5cm. (2½ins)
Female (Lineage 8 Sub-clade 4).
C.
kanei: Head
shape: short snout. Many spots on body. Light golden
tan body colour. Spots on fins. Size:
5.0cm. (2ins) Male: 5.5cm. (2¼ins) Female (Lineage
9).
C097:
Head shape elongated with long nose. Spots on body.
Light silver grey body colour. All fins hyaline. Size:
5.5cm. (2¼ins) Male: 6.0cm. (2½ins)
Female (Lineage 7).
Remarks:
Corydoras
atropersonatus
is placed in Lineage 9, the
"short-snouted" species with the designated
type species: C. punctatus. A revision
in the future would constitute the resurrection
of the genus name Hoplosopma (Agassiz,
1846).
Common
Name
Fairy
Corydoras
Synonyms
None.
Family
Callichthyidae
Subfamily
Corydoradinae
Distribution
South America:
Upper
Amazon River basin, Ecuador and Peru.
Type Locality: Ecuador, Río Conambo
at mouth of Río Shione (about 2º00'S,
76º30'W), Río Tigre system, Est. Pastaza.
Size
4.5cm. (1¾ins) Male:
5.0cm. (2ins) Female.
Temp
24-27°C
(75-81°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Characteristics
Head short and compact. Body
colour is a light silvery grey. All fins are transparent
without any noticeable markings (hyaline).
Colouration
Body with light brown spots
which are sparsely distributed. A black mask extends
over and below both eyes and bridges the top of
the head.
Aquarium
Care & Compatibility
This is akin to most of this
genus, very peaceful, and would be best housed with
small to medium sized tankmates such as Tetras, Rasboras
and Danios or in a species tank for breeding purposes.
Best to purchase 6 individuals or more as they will
be happier in a group.
Sexual
Differences
Females grow larger and have
a heavier looking body shape. Males are slimmer by comparison.
Reproduction
As per the Corydoras
species. With cool water changes and good feeding.
Breeding tank of 18"
12" x 12" for example can be furnished with
a sand substrate and plants such as Java Moss. They
will lay their eggs on the tank walls and have been
said to be avid egg eaters. There are a few articles
on breeding Corydoras in the Breeding article
section here.
Diet
Readily accepts a mixed and
varied diet which includes granular foods, tablet
food, frozen bloodworm and a good quality flake.
Etymology
Corydoras:
Cory=helmeted;doras=leathery
skin,(helmeted Doras) cuirass. atropersonatus: From the
Latin atropersonatus = 'with a black mask'
alluding to the mask across the eye.
Glossary
of Terms
Hyaline:
Transparent or clear without
pigment. Snout:
The part of the head in
front of the eyes.
References
Alexandrou,
Markos & Taylor, Martin (2011). Evolution,
ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
Fuller, I.A.M. & Evers, H-G: 2005 Identifying
Corydoradinae Catfish 384 p Fuller, I.A.M, Breeding
Corydoradine Catfishes. First Edition. 2001. Ian Fuller
Enterprises, Kidderminster, England. Seus, Werner, Corydoras. The most
popular catfishes of South America. 1993.
Dähne Verlaf, Ettlingen, Germany.
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