Aspidoras fuscoguttatus Care Guide
Aspidoras fuscoguttatus is a small armoured catfish from the upper Parana basin of Brazil, kept in groups on soft sand substrate.
Overview
Aspidoras fuscoguttatus is a small armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, subfamily Corydoradinae, described by Nijssen & Isbrucker in 1976. Members of the genus Aspidoras are distinguished from the related Corydoras by a supraoccipital fontanel on the skull, an autapomorphy for the genus. The species is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Subfamily: Corydoradinae
- Genus: Aspidoras
- Scientific name: Aspidoras fuscoguttatus
- Described by: Nijssen & Isbrucker, 1976
Habitat
The species occurs in the upper Parana River basin in Brazil. Aspidoras as a genus is endemic to Brazil, inhabiting small and shallow streams draining the Brazilian Shield. The fish is freshwater and benthopelagic, and like other callichthyids it is a facultative air-breather, able to gulp atmospheric air at the surface.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Substrate: soft sand
Diet
The species is an omnivore. According to Wikipedia it feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects and plant matter, and FishBase reports a trophic level of about 3.0. In aquaria it accepts sinking prepared foods together with small live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A. fuscoguttatus is a peaceful, diurnal, bottom-oriented schooling fish best kept in groups of six or more. It suits calm community aquaria with similarly peaceful tankmates such as small tetras and rasboras, and should not be combined with aggressive cichlids. Soft sand substrate protects its delicate barbels.
Breeding
According to Wikipedia the species lays eggs in dense vegetation, and the adults do not guard the eggs.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).