Quite difficult to identify
from the similar looking C.
agassizii especially
as juveniles and knowing where your specimen(s) originated
from is a great help. Also similar toC.
leucomelas but
this species is much smaller and has a very dark eye
band. Body has dark brown spots and in the head region
they form a reticulated pattern. The eye mask is pale
and runs from the top of the eye and over the head.
The black blotch in the dorsal fin extends into the
body. Lineage:
Placed in Lineage 8 sub clade 4 which comprises the
"intermediate long-snouts" with deeper bodies.
It also includes Brochis in sub-clade 1 which
was synonymised with Corydoras by Britto
in 2003 but in time there will be a revision which
will resurrect Brochis (Cope, 1871) to full
genera again. Aquarium Care: Keeping
the Black-spot Catfish is no more difficult than any
other of the Northern Amazonia species of Corydoras
and it will make a nice addition to your community
tank. Keep at least 6 of them, as with most Corydoras
they like their own company, then you will find
that they will not be so shy and you can see them
during the day picking away at any tiny morsel that
has been missed by the other occupants of your tank.
If you keep Barbs such as the "tiger" keep
a close eye on their dorsal fins as this is a waving
flag to some of the more nippy species, then you will
have to make up your mind to either move your Barbs,
or your catfish, to another tank. Diet:
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. Etymology:
The specific name ambiacus: after the River
Ambiacu, currently spelled Rio Ampiyacu.
South America:
Ecuador;in the Rio Panayacu, a tributary of
the Rio Napo which extends out of the North Western
part of Peru and also the Rio Yasuni. Peru:
in the Rio Ampiyacu and the Rio Nanay close
to the City of Iquitos, capital of the Peruvian Amazonia.
Rio Yavari near the village of Benjamin Constant where
the three countries of Peru, Colombia and Brazil meet.
Rio Tamya around the area of Masisea and a tributary
of the Rio Ucayali.
Size:
Male: 6.0cm (2¼ins)
Female: 6.5cm (2½ins)
Temp:
22-25°C (71-77°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.2.
Reference:
Alexandrou, Markos
& Taylor, Martin. (2011). Evolution,
ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited. Ian A. M. Fuller & Hans-Georg Evers
(2011). Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish Supplement
1. Ian Fuller Enterprises. ScotCat
Factsheet no.81.
March 2003. Seus, Werner: Corydoras, The most
Popular armoured catfishes of South America.
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