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 tankmates
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.
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| 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.
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| 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 |
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| Synonyms:
|
| None |
| Common
Name: |
| Green-Gold Corydoras |
| Family: |
| Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily: |
| Corydoradinae |
| Distribution: |
Colombia : Rio Manacacacias, tributary of the Rio
Meta and in the Rio Ocora, the Rio Guatiquia and the Rio
Negro, west of Puerto Lopez |
| Size: |
| 7cm
( 2¾ins) |
| Temp: |
| 22-26°C
(71-79°F) |
| pH.: |
| 6.0 -7.2. |
| Hardness: |
| up to 17°dGH |
| Donation: |
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