Fairy Corydoras (Corydoras atropersonatus) Care Guide
Corydoras atropersonatus is a small peaceful armoured catfish of the upper Amazon, finely peppered with a dark eye mask.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras atropersonatus is a small armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae. It has fine dark peppering and a dark eye mask, and is slightly smaller than most congeners. It is a peaceful, group-living species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras atropersonatus
- Common synonyms: Salt-and-Pepper Fairy Cory
Habitat
The species occurs in the upper Amazon River basin in South America. It is a demersal freshwater fish and shows facultative air-breathing.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.2
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
An omnivore (trophic level around 3.0) that forages on the bottom. It accepts sinking prepared foods supplemented with live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom dweller best kept in groups of six or more on soft substrate, ideal for planted nano tanks. Suitable companions include tetras, pencilfish and Otocinclus; aggressive fish should be avoided.
Breeding
Corydoras atropersonatus is an egg-depositor; breeding difficulty is considered intermediate.
Fairy Corydoras (Corydoras atropersonatus) Breeding Guide
Overview
Corydoras atropersonatus is known only from the Tigre and Nanay drainage systems of Ecuador and Peru and reaches 45-50 mm standard length. It is an egg-depositing catfish bred with the standard Corydoras cooler-water trigger.
Sexing
Females are noticeably larger and rounder-bodied than males, particularly when carrying eggs.
Conditioning
Condition the group using a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. Keep the fish within the species range of 21-27 degrees C, pH 5.0-7.0 and a hardness of 36-179 ppm.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Initiate spawning by performing large (50-70%) water changes with cooler water while increasing oxygenation and flow, repeated daily. Eggs are normally deposited on the aquarium glass, with fine vegetation or spawning mops as alternatives.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 3-4 days. Once the yolk sacs are absorbed the fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii, and rearing works best over a thin layer of sand rather than in a bare-bottomed tank.