Corydoras haraldschultzi
Knaack, 1962 |
This month (June 2010) we welcome back
regular contributor, author and aquarist,
Chris Ralph. His subject this month is centered on an old favourite
from the Callichthyidae
family, Corydoras haraldschultzi.
I now hand you over to Chris.
orydoras haraldschultzi is
sometimes available amongst aquarium imports from South America,
and is well worth looking out for in my opinion. It is suggested
that aquarium specimens might grow to 80mm s.l. for males and
85mm s.l. for females. This is a very stunning species to look
out for.
It is documented that this catfish is confused
with Corydoras
araguaiensis which lacks the orange colouration in the
fins, and is said to be similar to two other species,
Corydoras spectabilis
and Corydoras
isbrueckeri. This catfish is described
as being syntopic with Corydoras
sterbai.
Corydoras haraldschultzi belongs
to the family Callichthyidae or armoured catfishes from South
America; namely Brazil: State of Mato Grosso, upper Rio Guaporé.
The type locality for this catfish is documented as being Rio
Guaporé Brazil. This catfish is documented as being found
in Bolivia in addition to Central Brazil.
Corydoras haraldschultzi prefer
to be kept in water which has a pH in the range of 6.0-7.2 and
hardness in the range of 2-25ºdGH. This catfish is ideally
suited to temperatures in the range of 22-27ºC or 71-8°F.
I would suggest a minimum tank size of 24” x 15” X
12” for a small shoal of these fascinating little catfish.
I would suggest good quality aquarium sand such as BD Aquarium
Sand, or very smooth rounded gravel as the preferred substrate
when keeping these catfish. The aquarium should provide some shelter
in the form of rocks or bogwood along with some aquatic plants.
As with all other species of fish, water quality and general husbandry
is very important, and I would recommend that a minimum of 25%
water is changed on a weekly to fortnightly basis.
This catfish is quite often confused with Corydoras sterbai
which has a dark basic colour to its body with white spots on
its head and snout.
The body shape of Corydoras haraldschultzi
is described as being typical triangular Corydoras
shaped with a pointed head and long snout. The body is slightly
deeper in comparison to other species of Corydoras. The
dorsal fin is described as having 7 to 8 soft rays.
The base colour of the body and head is
described as being light overlaid with 6 to 7 bands of dark coloured
markings leading from the front of the dorsal down to the caudal
peduncle. There are dark grey reticulated markings on the head
which cover the snout and extend towards the leading ray of the
dorsal fin. The pectoral and ventral fin spines are described
as being orange in colour, whilst the remaining fins are described
as being clear with black banding.
Wherever possible I would recommend that the
aquarist keep these catfish in a community aquarium in small groups
of six or more, but as the absolute minimum I would suggest three
specimens assuming that they are available in these numbers. In
their natural habitat Corydoras haraldschultzi would be
found in relatively large shoals.
There are no documented records of Corydoras
haraldschultzi having been spawned in aquaria to date.
| Sexual
differences |
As with most other
species of catfish the males tend to be more slender than
the females. The females are described as being larger and
plumper as they get older. As with most other representatives
of the family Corydoradinae, the male is documented as being
much smaller than the female.
|
| Feeding |
Corydoras haraldschultzi readily
accepts a mixed and varied diet which includes granular foods,
frozen bloodworm and good quality flake to name but a few.
| Etymology |
Corydoras:
Cory from the Greek meaning helmeted; doras meaning leathery
skin (helmeted Doras) cuirass.
haraldschultzi: dedicated to Mr
Harald Schultz.
|
| Glossary
of Terms |
Scute
is defined as a bony plate.
Adipose is defined as a second dorsal fin
which in the case of Corydoras consists of fatty
tissue with a single spine supporting a thin membrane.
Dorsal is defined as being top or above.
Ventral is defined as bottom, below or
underneath.
Caudal peduncle is defined as the usually
narrowing posterior part of the body between the anal and
caudal fins.
Caudal fin is defined as the tail fin.
Pectoral fins are defined as paired lateral
fins.
Dorsal fin is defined as the medial fin
on top of the back.
Anal fin is defined as the medial fin immediately
posterior to the anus.
Ventral fins are defined as the paired
fins between the pectoral and anal fins.
Operculum is defined as the large bone
forming the gill cover.
Dorsolateral is defined as extending from
the top to the side.
Ventrolateral is defined as extending
from below and to the side.
Syntopic is defined as being similar in appearance. |
Author
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