False Blochi Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras delphax is an armoured catfish from the Inírida River and upper Orinoco basin in Colombia, often confused with C. melanistius.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras delphax is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae. It is a peaceful, schooling bottom-dweller often confused with Corydoras melanistius but distinguished by a thicker dark patch. It is a facultative air-breather.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras delphax
Habitat
The species occurs in the Inírida River and the upper Orinoco River basin in Colombia, in freshwater, demersal tropical habitats.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 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
Corydoras delphax is an omnivore that forages along the substrate. In aquaria it accepts sinking dried foods supplemented with small live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom-dwelling species best kept in groups of six or more. It suits community tanks with tetras, rasboras and otocinclus and should not be combined with aggressive cichlids.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020).
Breeding Corydoras delphax (False Blochi Cory)
Overview
Corydoras delphax is an armoured catfish (family Callichthyidae) from the upper Orinoco basins in western Colombia and northeastern Peru, reaching about 55–60 mm. It is an egg-depositor that spawns in the typical Corydoras T-position.
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably rounder and higher-bodied than males, especially when full of eggs and viewed from above.
Conditioning
Condition adults on a varied diet of small live and frozen foods until females are full of eggs. Use a ratio of two males per female if possible to maximise fertilisation.
Breeding Setup
- Temperature: 22–27 °C
- pH: 5.5–7.5
- Hardness: 36–215 ppm
- Provide glass, fine-leaved plants and/or sunken spawning mops; mops make egg removal easy
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Trigger spawning by performing a large (50–70%) water change with cooler water and increasing oxygenation and flow. Repeat daily until the fish spawn. The female cups the sticky eggs between her pelvic fins, fertilises them in the T-position, and deposits them on glass, vegetation or a mop.
Egg & Fry Care
Incubation is normally 3–4 days. Once the yolk sacs are absorbed, fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii. They require excellent water quality and perform better over a thin layer of sand than on a bare bottom.
Common Challenges
To prevent egg fungus, breeders typically add a few drops of methylene blue or an alder cone or two to the egg container.