orydoras eques
was, not so long ago, the holy grail for Corydoras
catfish keepers but now with imports of this beautiful
species and aquarium spawning's as well, this is the
Cory that we now feature in this months October 2013
factsheet. First described (as Osteogaster eques)
as long ago as 1876 by the Austrian zoologist Franz
Steindachner and it has only intermittently appeared
on importers lists.
Corydoras
eques - male
There are three
species that are very similar to Corydoras eques.
The first species depicted here was collected in the
type locality for C. eques in Brazil and
is the true C. eques. The other two species
that are alike are from Peru, one is caught alongsideC.
rabauti in the upper
Ucayali, Corydoras cf. eques, which has been
given the CW number of CW043
and is almost identical to C. eques (now
the same species) apart from a slight difference in
body shape and colour pattern, and the other is captured
alongside C.
zygatus and has been
given the CorydorasWorld number of CW007.
Corydoras
sp. CW043
Corydoras
sp. CW007
The first thing
that you notice when you acquire this species is the
relentless swimming motions in the aquarium, especially
in a species only breeding tank setup. They will come
to the front of the tank as soon as you approach the
aquarium and will swim up and down on the front glass.
This was a pleasant surprise for me and water changes
are a source of delight for them. After having previously
purchased a group of CW010s,
and there crepuscular habits, this was a nice change.
Type
locality:
Brazil; Rio Amazonas at Codajas
Remarks:
Corydoras
eques
is placed
in Lineage 7 alongside other members of the so called
"aeneus group" with the designated type
species: C. eques. A revision in the future
would constitute the resurrection of the genus name
Osteogaster. Update:
CW043 and C. eques are now one and the
same species.
Common
Name
Horseman
Cory
Synonyms
Osteogaster
eques
Family
Callichthyidae
Subfamily
Corydoradinae
Distribution
South America:
Brazil; Amazonas, Rio
Amazonas at Codajas.
Size
Male: 5.0cm. (2ins) Female:
5.5cm (2¼ins)
Temp
22-26°C (71-79°F)
p.H.
6.0-7.5.
Characteristics
Short and compact.
Colouration
Body with a turquoise to
blue colouration. Supraoccipal with an orange blotch.
In a certain light you can see a darker band running
along the top of the body from the nape to the adipose
fin. All fins are clear with a light orange colouration
to the soft rays and darker to the hard rays. The
chin and underbelly are white. The colouration of
this species very much depends on the colour of
the substrate.
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 only tank for breeding
purposes. Best to purchase 6 individuals or more,
although they are still quite expensive, as they will
be happier in a group.
Reproduction
These fish have
proven to be rather difficult to breed but it can
be done (Graham Ramsay). Place a conditioned pair
or two in a smallish tank with a sponge filter and
lots of fine-leaved plants. Include floating plants
as the fish like to lay their eggs near the surface.
A period of stability of several weeks can be followed
by a large water change with cooler water. If you
are lucky, the fish will spawn in the usual corydoras
manner laying several hundred eggs in the process.
Sexual
Differences
Females grow larger and have
a heavier looking body shape. Males are slimmer by comparison.
Diet
Readily accepts a mixed and
varied diet which includes granular foods, tablet
food, frozen bloodworm and a good quality flake.
Glossary
of Terms
Adipose
fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays,
behind the rayed dorsal fin. Supraoccipal:Unpaired
bone at the back of the skull, usually with a crest.
Etymology
Corydoras:
Cory=helmeted;doras=leathery
skin,(helmeted Doras) cuirass. eques:From
eques, a horse.
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