Aspidoras pauciradiatus Care Guide
Aspidoras pauciradiatus, the sixray or false corydoras, is a tiny armoured catfish from the upper Araguaia basin of Brazil, kept in groups.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Aspidoras pauciradiatus, commonly called the sixray corydoras or false corydoras, is a tiny armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, subfamily Corydoradinae, described by Weitzman & Nijssen in 1970. According to FishBase and Wikipedia the species has since been reclassified in the genus Gastrodermus, and it has also been placed historically in Corydoras. It is one of the most commonly kept Aspidoras-relatives in the aquarium trade.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Subfamily: Corydoradinae
- Genus: Aspidoras
- Scientific name: Aspidoras pauciradiatus
- Described by: Weitzman & Nijssen, 1970
- Note: FishBase currently places this species in Gastrodermus
Habitat
According to FishBase and Wikipedia, the species occurs in the upper Araguaia River basin in Brazil. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic fish and a facultative air-breather. The closely related genus Aspidoras inhabits small and shallow streams draining the Brazilian Shield.
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 small sinking prepared foods together with small live and frozen items appropriate to its small size.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, schooling fish that forms shoals and is best kept in groups of six or more. Because of its small adult size it suits calm community and nano aquaria with peaceful tankmates such as small tetras and rasboras, and should not be combined with aggressive cichlids.
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).
Aspidoras pauciradiatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Aspidoras pauciradiatus is a small callichthyid catfish restricted to the upper Araguaia basin in Brazil, reaching only about 30-35 mm standard length. Reproduction follows a pattern similar to that of Corydoras: it is an egg-depositor that scatters eggs in dense vegetation, and the adults do not guard them. According to Seriously Fish it is best maintained in stable, mature water before any breeding is attempted.
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger and are noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, especially when gravid and viewed from above. Males stay slimmer. Because the differences are subtle, keeping a group of six or more improves the odds of having both sexes in spawning condition.
Conditioning
Condition the group on a varied diet of small live and frozen foods alongside sinking dried foods until females fill out with eggs. Maintain stable, clean water over fine sand; this species should not be added to biologically immature tanks.
Breeding Setup
- Tank with base dimensions of at least 60 x 30 cm and fine sand substrate
- Temperature 20-27 C and pH 6.0-7.0 (Seriously Fish)
- Soft to moderately hard water (about 36-215 ppm)
- Fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or clean glass for egg deposition
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Seriously Fish reports that spawning can be induced by performing a large water change with noticeably cooler water, an effect that is often stronger during a drop in barometric pressure. The fish then spawn in the manner typical of the genus, depositing adhesive eggs among plants and on hard surfaces.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are laid in dense vegetation and the adults provide no parental care, so eggs are best protected from being eaten. Detailed fry-rearing data is not documented for this species; breeders generally follow the standard approach for small egg-scattering callichthyids, offering tiny live foods once the fry are free-swimming.