Aspidoras spilotus Care Guide
Aspidoras spilotus is a small armoured catfish from coastal rivers of Ceara, Brazil, kept as a peaceful schooling species on soft sand.
Overview
Aspidoras spilotus 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 Corydoras by a supraoccipital fontanel on the skull. According to FishBase the species is now treated as a junior synonym of Aspidoras raimundi following Tencatt and colleagues (2022).
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Subfamily: Corydoradinae
- Genus: Aspidoras
- Scientific name: Aspidoras spilotus
- Described by: Nijssen & Isbrucker, 1976
- Note: FishBase treats this as a junior synonym of Aspidoras raimundi (Tencatt et al., 2022)
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species occurs in coastal rivers in the state of Ceara, Brazil. The genus Aspidoras is endemic to Brazil and inhabits small and shallow streams draining the Brazilian Shield. The fish is freshwater and benthopelagic and is a facultative air-breather.
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. FishBase reports a trophic level of about 3.0, consistent with an omnivorous to detritivorous feeding ecology. In aquaria it accepts sinking prepared foods together with small live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A. spilotus is a peaceful, 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 barbels.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018).