Fowler's Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras fowleri is a long-snouted armoured catfish from the western Amazon basin of Peru and Colombia, kept in soft-water community aquaria.
Overview
Corydoras fowleri is a small armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Böhlke in 1950. According to FishBase and Wikipedia it occurs in the western part of the Amazon basin in Peru and Colombia. It is a long-snouted, demersal species reaching a maximum standard length of about 6.5 cm. Like other Corydoras it is a facultative air-breather, periodically rising to the surface to gulp atmospheric air.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras fowleri
- Author: Böhlke, 1950
Habitat
Seriously Fish records the species from the Amazon basin in Peru, ranging from the rio Ampiyacu westward toward Iquitos and including the rios Napo, Nanay and Itaya. The type locality is Chancho Caño near Pebas in Loreto, Peru. It is reported to favour smaller, quiet tributaries with clear, acidic water over substrates of fine sand and leaf litter.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- Substrate: soft sand
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivorous forager. Seriously Fish notes that it accepts sinking dried foods as well as live and frozen items such as bloodworm and Tubifex, although it can be selective and newly imported wild specimens may initially refuse dried foods and require live food during acclimatisation.
Compatibility
Corydoras fowleri is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling fish suited to larger community aquaria. Seriously Fish reports that it is best kept in groups of at least 4-6 individuals; males can show aggression toward conspecifics, particularly when breeding. Suitable companions are similarly peaceful species; avoid large or aggressive tankmates.
Breeding
Breeding follows the typical Corydoras pattern. Seriously Fish reports that spawning is triggered by large water changes (around 50-70%) with cooler water and increased oxygenation. Eggs are deposited on the aquarium glass or vegetation and hatch in roughly 3-4 days; fry accept microworm and Artemia nauplii.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2014). FishBase lists the species as having high resilience and low vulnerability to fishing pressure.