David Sands' Corydoras (Corydoras davidsandsi) Care Guide
Corydoras davidsandsi is a black-and-white armoured catfish from the Rio Negro basin, similar in pattern to C. metae but with a continuous dorsal band.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras davidsandsi is a black-and-white armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae. Its pattern recalls C. metae but it is slightly larger and carries a continuous dark band along the back. It is a peaceful blackwater species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras davidsandsi
- Common synonyms: Sands' Cory
Habitat
The species occurs in the Rio Negro basin in South America. It is a demersal freshwater fish of tropical waters and shows facultative air-breathing.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.0
- GH: 1-10 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
An omnivore (trophic level around 3.0) that forages along the bottom, accepting sinking prepared foods alongside live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom dweller best kept in groups of six or more on soft substrate. Suitable companions include Cardinal Tetra and Apistogramma; aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Breeding
Corydoras davidsandsi is an egg-depositor; breeding difficulty is considered intermediate.
David Sands' Corydoras (Corydoras davidsandsi) Breeding Guide
Overview
Corydoras davidsandsi is endemic to the Rio Unini, a tributary of the Rio Negro system in Brazil, and reaches 55-60 mm standard length. It is an egg-depositing catfish bred with the standard Corydoras cooler-water trigger.
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably rounder and higher-bodied than males.
Conditioning
Condition the group using a ratio of two males per female. Keep the fish within the species range of 20-28 degrees C, pH 5.0-7.0 and a hardness of 18-90 ppm.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Induce spawning by performing large (50-70%) water changes with cooler water while increasing oxygenation and tank flow, repeated daily until the fish spawn. Eggs are normally deposited on the aquarium glass, though fine-leaved plants or spawning mops are recommended alternatives.
Egg & Fry Care
Incubation takes 3-4 days. Once the yolk sacs are absorbed the fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii, and appear less susceptible to ailments when maintained over a thin layer of sand rather than in a bare-bottomed tank.