Corydoras loretoensis
Nijssen & Isbrücker, 1986 |
imilar to C. armatus,
but this species is higher bodied. There is also a variety with
an eye mask which may be the juvenile pattern of C. loretoensis,
with this trait disappearing as they grow into adulthood.
At first glance in your LFS you would
be challenged to think of a more unspectacular looking cory, but
believe me when you get them home and settled in your aquarium
you will be surprised at the beauty of this little catfish. Of
course not a looker in the sense of colouration, but the high
dorsal with the black edging and the black spots on the grey body
coupled with its gregarious behavior will make it a firm favourite
in your fish room/hut. I picked mine up at an auction and wondered
why I had bid for them, but I am very glad that I did as I had
not kept this Corydoras in over 30 years of fishkeeping
and it sparked a bit of exhilaration in my Fishhouse.
|
Corydoras
loretoensis - head view |
The head view image above shows the unusually
large eyes which are situated high on the head. The snout is very
short and angular.
Conclusion: This is a
very social Corydoras and one that you should consider
if you have not kept this species before.
Head short and blunt. Eyes large which are
situated high on the head. Dorsal fin elongated.
Ground colour of head and body grey with
black spots and blotches. Dorsal fin spine is black and the rest
of the fin may have a few dark spots/blotches. Rest of fins hyaline
but some specimens may show faint bars in the caudal fin. There
is a hint of a pale eye mask in adults.
This is akin to most of this genus, very peaceful,
and would be best housed with small to medium sized tankmates such
as Tetras, Rasboras and Danios or in a species tank for breeding
purposes. Best to purchase 6 individuals or more as they will be
happier in a group.
As per Corydoras 'T' mating fashion
but not one of the easiest members of this genera to spawn but
once you have been successful they should spawn at regular intervals.
Will lay their eggs in Java moss, spawning mops or the corners
of the tank glass. There have been reports (Fuller 2013) of this
species laying eggs in the sand substrate.
| Sexual
differences |
Males tend to be more
brightly coloured with the females showing a paler colouration.
|
| Diet |
Readily accepts a mixed and varied diet
which includes granular foods, tablet food, frozen bloodworm and
good quality flake to name but a few.
| Etymology |
Corydoras:
Cory = helmeted; doras
= leathery skin,(helmeted Doras) cuirass.
loretoensis: From
Loreto, a department in Peru where this Corydoras
species was found.
|
| References |
Fuller, I.A.M.
& Evers, H-G:
2005 Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish 384p
Ferraris, C.J. Jr.,
2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes:
Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types.
Zootaxa 1418:1-628.
Fuller, I.A.M:
2012. Breeding Corydoradinae Catfish, Second edition. 371p.
|
| Glossary
of Terms |
Dorsal fin:
The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body
Caudal fin: The
tail
Hyaline: Transparent or clear without pigment. |
Allan James @ 
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