Corydoras melanotaenia
Regan, 1912
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ne of the nicest looking Cory's to grace
the hobby even although it has been around for many years is this
months chosen factsheet (April 2006) and it abounds in its common
name of the "Green-Gold Corydoras". It is of course,
Corydoras melanotaenia.
This species on first sight could be misconstrued
as Corydoras aeneus but the longer overall body shape
and the yellow/ochre fins tell them apart. They used to be a
common sight in aquatic shops up and down the country but the
last few years they have been very thin on the ground and as
such should be snapped up if seen in your local LFS.
The green body colouration really abounds when they are in good
condition and in breeding mode.
The original type locality of Tolimais in Colombia, Honda Province
in the Río Magdalena basin, is doubtful as collectors
have been unable to find this species there. However, collections
are made from the Río Meta basin.
Typical Corydoras body shape with
a short and compact head.
Upper half of body is metalic green, this
colouration does not cover the ridge of the back which is a light
yellow. A metallic green eye-mask covers both eyes. The supraoccipial
has a light golden-orange colour.
This is akin to most of this genus, very
peaceful, and would be best housed with small to medium tank mates
such as Tetras, Rasboras and Danios or
in a species tank for breeding purposes.
| Sexual
differences |
Males are more slender
than the females and the ventral fins in the female are
rounded whilst the males are pointed.
|
| Breeding |
Not one of the easiest Cory's to breed
but will spawn as per the genus. They will lay up to 150 eggs
and the larvae will hatch after 5 days. Mark Bryson from Paisley,
Scotland has been successful with this species, read his article
here.
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. Feeding the fry after
they use up their yolk-sac with brine shrimp naupli, microworm
and fry flake food.
| Etymology |
Corydoras:
Cory
= helmeted; doras
= leathery skin,(helmeted Doras) cuirass.
melanotaenia : From the Greek
melan = 'black' and the Latin taenia = ribbon,
fillet , tapeworm.
|
| Glossary
of Terms: |
Supraoccipial
: Unpaired
bone at the back at the back of the skull, usually with
a crest.
|
| Reference |
Hans A Baensch
and Dr Rudiger Riel,
Baensch Aquarium Atlas 2
CorydorasWorld.com
Fuller, A.M. Ian.
Seuss, Werner; Corydoras The most
popular armoured catfishes of South America; Dähne
Verlag; p.126.
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| Photo
Credits |
©
Allan James
@ 
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|
| Synonyms:
|
| None |
| Common
Name: |
| Green-Gold Corydoras |
| Family: |
| Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Corydoradinae |
| Distribution: |
Colombia: Meta
River basin. Type locality: Honda, Río
Meta system, Colombia. |
| Size: |
| 5.5cm
( 2¼ins) Male: 6.0cm ( 2½ins) Female: |
| Temp: |
| 22-26°C
(71-79°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.0 -7.2. |
| Hardness: |
| up to 17°dGH |
| Donation: |
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