SCOTCAT.COM  

Hans-Georg Evers (2) Cheilinus Aquarium Photography (3) Joakim Schön (1)

The Aspidoras genera differ from Corydoras by their different behaviour such as their swimming habits. The eyes are smaller, body smaller and a smaller head shape in Aspidoras compared with Corydoras. Aspidoras posses a duel fontanel bone structure in the skull whereas Corydoras have only the one larger fontanel. Lineage: All Aspidoras belong to Lineage 2 with the exception of A. pauciradiatus which will prove to be a Corydoras and if a revision is carried out will be Gastrodermus (Cope, 1878) and a member of Lineage 5 alongside members of the "elegans group". Aquarium Care: Aspidoras albater is fairly uncommon in the hobby but as with all of this genus they are best kept in groups of six or more and are best housed with small fishes that are not aggressive. Provide a planted area in the tank for cover and include a soft substrate such as sand or small rounded gravel. Diet: Flake, tablet foods, small live and frozen foods. Remarks: Many species of Aspidoras are difficult to tell apart unless there is area catchment information available. A. albater and C035 have turned out to be the same species and A. taurus and A. eurycephalus have also turned out to be synonyms of A. albater.

False macropterus, C035

Aspidoras taurus, Aspidoras eurycephalus

Callichthyidae

South America: Brazil, Goiás, Rio Tocantinzinha near São João da Aliança, 14°46’S, 47° 30’W, Rio Tocantins system.

Male: 3.5cm (1¼ins) Female: 4.0cm (1½ins)

22-24°C (71-75°F)

6.5-7.2.

Alexandrou, Markos & Taylor, Martin. (2011). Evolution, ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl 1985 Aquarien atlas. Band 2. Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde GmbH, Melle, Germany. 1216 p.
Ian A. M. Fuller & Hans-Georg Evers (2011). Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish Supplement 1. Ian Fuller Enterprises.
ScotCat Article: The Genus Aspidoras.