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ur factsheet of the month for June 2002, Scleromystax macropterus, is now becoming quite rare in exports due to deforestation and heavy pollution of their habitats, and as such would need to be cherished if lucky enough to acquire this member of the Corydoradinae subfamily. Males develop an extended dorsal fin (seen below image) and pectoral spines and sexually mature males sport bristles on the cheeks. In some cases imports of juveniles never develop the long finnage of the males (Fuller 2005). You can see similar markings as in Corydoras paleatus.

Scleromystax macropterus - pair male to the rear

Britto in 2003 revalidated the genus Scleromystax and put it together with the genus Aspidoras into the tribe Aspidoradini within the subfamily Corydoradinae (Fuller 2005). As with all Scleromystax species they will fare better in cooler temperatures. The genus Scleromystax belongs to lineage 3 and if there was a revision carried out on the Corydoradinae in the future they would remain so, with the designated type species S. barbatus (Günther, 1864).

Scleromystax macropterus - head view

The Scleromystax species are found only in the southern parts of Brazil namely in the rainforest of the Mata Atlantica and along the eastern and southeastern coast of the states of Bahia, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Parana and Santa Catarina.

High-fin Corydoras

Corydoras bertoni, Corydoras macropterus

Corydoradinae

South America: Coastal rivers of Brazil from São Paulo to Santa Catarina States, and some tributaries of the upper Paraná River. Type Locality: Brazil; Paraná, Paranaguá (25°32’S, 48°36’W).

Male: 6.5cm (2½ins) Female: 7.0cm (2¾ins)

20-24°C (67-75°F)

Head elongated with a short snout.

Body grey, to brown or beige. All fins are colourless and transparent. Individual fin rays are banded brown and white forming five to six transverse bands in the caudal fin. A dark band runs from the head, along the middle of the body, to the base of the caudal fin. It may be broken in places. Above and below this may be large patches of varying sizes and positions. The head region has spots which may be joined to form 'worm like' lines.

Sometimes the males of Scleromystax species can get aggressive to other males so maybe one male to a group may be the best way to go if there are conflicts in the aquarium. As with most members of the Callichthyidae they are peaceful. The Scleromystax genera are good additions to "cool water" aquarium set ups with maybe other cool water fish such as White Cloud Mountain Minnows and other fish that are comfortable with a temperature around the 70°f (21.5°c) mark. Keep them on a sand substrate as you would with most of the Corydoradinae.

No bred very often but as per this genus. Articles on the breeding of this family can be found in the breeding articles section here.

The dorsal fin can be extended in male specimens and also the pectoral fins. Males have bristles on the preoperculum as in this genera.

As with other members of the Corydoradinae they relish tablet and good quality flake food with frozen bloodworm a firm favourite. They are also keen on chopped earthworms and other worm foods such as white worm used sparingly, and grindal worm. Provide a varied diet.

Caudal fin: The tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Pectoral fins: The paired fins just behind the head.
Preoperculum: The anterior bone of the opercular series, forming the border of the cheek.
Snout: The part of the head in front of the eyes.

Scleromystax: From the Greek "sclero" meaning hard and the Latin "mystax" meaning moustache.
macropterus: Large wing, (referring to the fins).

Photo Credits

© Daniel Konn-Vetterlein /courtesy of  

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