Britski's Catfish Care Guide
Corydoras britskii, the largest of the former Brochis genus, is a peaceful armoured catfish from the upper Paraguay basin.
Overview
Corydoras britskii, Britski's Catfish, is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae. It was originally described as Brochis britskii by Nijssen and Isbrucker in 1983 and named after the Brazilian ichthyologist Heraldo Antonio Britski. Seriously Fish notes that the former genus Brochis was synonymised with Corydoras in 2003. It is the largest member of that former genus and a peaceful, gregarious bottom-dweller.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras britskii
- Common synonym: Brochis britskii (Nijssen & Isbrucker, 1983)
Habitat
The species is restricted to the upper Rio Paraguay basin in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Seriously Fish reports that it inhabits smaller tributaries and still bodies of water such as backwaters, oxbows and marginal lakes. FishBase describes it as a freshwater, demersal, facultative air-breathing fish.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: at least 5-6 individuals
- Substrate: fine sand preferred
- Size: 8-12 cm (FishBase max 8.8 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
It is an omnivore. FishBase places the species at a trophic level of about 2.9. Seriously Fish describes it as an omnivorous forager accepting sinking dried foods plus small live and frozen items such as chironomid larvae (bloodworm) and Tubifex, and stresses that a varied diet is essential rather than relying on leftover food.
Compatibility
It is peaceful and gregarious. Seriously Fish advises keeping it in groups of at least six to eight individuals. It suits a community of small to medium peaceful fish such as tetras, rasboras and Otocinclus, while aggressive cichlids should be avoided. Seriously Fish notes that females are noticeably rounder, higher-bodied and slightly larger than males.
Breeding
The species is an egg-depositor. Seriously Fish notes that its breeding is unreported in aquarium literature.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2018, per FishBase). FishBase notes low fishing vulnerability and high population recovery potential.