Aspidoras fuscoguttatus Breeding Guide
Breeding notes for Aspidoras fuscoguttatus, the darkspotted catfish from the upper Parana that scatters eggs in vegetation without guarding.
Overview
Aspidoras fuscoguttatus, the darkspotted catfish, is a small callichthyid reaching about 4 cm in length, found in the upper Parana River basin in Brazil. According to Wikipedia it lays eggs in dense vegetation and the adults do not guard them, the typical egg-depositing strategy of the genus. It is reported to be uncommon in the trade, partly because it is hard to tell apart from related species.
Sexing
Published sexing data for this species is limited and Wikipedia provides none. As in other small Aspidoras, mature females are expected to be broader and rounder than males when viewed from above, especially when gravid. Maintaining a group of six or more improves the chance of forming a spawning pair.
Breeding Setup
- A small, mature, clean tank over fine sand
- Soft, acidic to neutral water; Wikipedia reports pH about 5.5-6.8 and around 12 dGH
- Temperature in the 22-25 C range (Wikipedia)
- Fine-leaved plants and spawning mops as egg substrate
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Wikipedia documents only that the species scatters eggs in dense vegetation without parental care. Following the well-established genus pattern, a large cooler water change is the usual stimulus for small Aspidoras; this is offered as a genus-level approach rather than a species-specific record.
Egg & Fry Care
Since the adults do not guard the eggs, protecting the clutch from predation is the priority. No species-specific fry-rearing protocol is published; the fry are reared as for other small egg-scattering callichthyids, with very small live foods once free-swimming.