Guapore Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras guapore is an armoured catfish endemic to the rio Guapore of Bolivia and Brazil, noted for spending much time swimming in mid-water.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras guapore is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Knaack in 1961 and currently placed by FishBase in the genus Gastrodermus. It occurs in the Guapore River basin and reaches a maximum standard length of about 4.1 cm. Unusually among its relatives, it spends a large proportion of its time swimming in mid-water rather than on the substrate.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras guapore
- Author: Knaack, 1961
- Current placement: Gastrodermus guapore (FishBase)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Guapore River basin. Seriously Fish describes it as endemic to the rio Guapore (also called rio Itenez), a tributary of the upper Madeira basin in north-eastern Bolivia and western Brazil. The Guapore is characterised as an acidic, tannin-stained river with warm, clear water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 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, unlike most congeners, it is partly adapted to feed on pelagic zooplankton, so small live or frozen foods such as Daphnia and Artemia are recommended alongside sinking dried foods.
Compatibility
Corydoras guapore is peaceful and gregarious. Seriously Fish reports that it tends to form aggregations in mid-water, spending much of its time away from the substrate, and recommends keeping it in groups of at least 4-6 individuals in calm community aquaria.
Breeding
Seriously Fish notes that the species is only rarely bred in aquaria but follows methods similar to other members of the group, with eggs typically hatching in 3-4 days. Fry require excellent water quality and small live foods.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020). FishBase records it as a commercial aquarium species of no fisheries interest.
Breeding Corydoras guapore
Overview
Corydoras guapore (now also placed in the genus Gastrodermus) is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae native to the Rio Guapore basin on the Brazil/Bolivia border, within the upper Rio Madeira system. According to Seriously Fish it reaches around 40-50 mm standard length and is unusual among its relatives in forming midwater aggregations. It is reported as rarely bred in aquaria, though when successful the method follows the general Corydoras pattern.
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males, a difference that is easiest to judge when the fish are viewed from above.
Conditioning
Condition the breeding group well before attempting to spawn them; a varied diet supports egg production in females. A ratio of two or more males per female improves the chance of successful fertilisation.
Breeding Setup
FishBase lists a broad environmental tolerance of pH 6.0-8.0 and a temperature range of about 21-24 C for the species. Fry are reported to fare better over a thin layer of sand rather than in a bare arrangement, so a shallow sand layer is preferable to a fully bare base.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
To trigger spawning, perform a large 50-70% water change with cooler water and increase oxygenation and flow in the tank. Repeat this daily until the fish spawn. As in other members of the genus the female cups the eggs and deposits them at a chosen site.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are laid on the aquarium glass, among fine-leaved vegetation, or within sunken spawning mops; mops make egg removal easier. Methylene blue or alder cones are commonly added to reduce fungal infection. Incubation is normally 3-4 days, and once the fry have fully absorbed their yolk sacs they accept microworm and Artemia (brine shrimp) nauplii. Fry require excellent water quality.
Common Challenges
This species is rarely bred in aquaria, and fry demand consistently high water quality. Keeping the young over a thin sand layer is reported to reduce losses compared with a bare tank base.