Mosaic Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras haraldschultzi is an armoured catfish of the rio Guapore, often confused with C. sterbai but showing dark markings on a light body.
Overview
Corydoras haraldschultzi is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Knaack in 1962 and currently placed by FishBase in the genus Brochis. It occurs in Brazil and Bolivia and reaches a maximum standard length of about 5.9 cm. It is frequently confused with C. sterbai but differs in showing dark markings on a light head and body, the reverse of the sterbai pattern.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras haraldschultzi
- Author: Knaack, 1962
- Current placement: Brochis haraldschultzi (FishBase)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Brazil and Bolivia. Seriously Fish describes it as endemic to the rio Guapore (rio Itenez in Bolivia), a tributary of the upper rio 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: 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 plus live and frozen items such as bloodworm and Tubifex, and stresses that it should not be expected to survive on leftovers or act as a tank cleaner.
Compatibility
Corydoras haraldschultzi is described by Seriously Fish as peaceful and gregarious, requiring groups of at least 4-6 individuals. It suits calm community aquaria with soft sand; large or aggressive species should be avoided.
Breeding
Seriously Fish recommends two or more males per female and triggering spawning with a large (50-70%) cooler water change and increased oxygenation. FishBase notes the female deposits eggs in a ventral fin pouch before attaching them to a cleaned surface, often the underside of leaves; eggs are around 2 mm in diameter and hatch in roughly 3-4 days, with fry accepting microworm and Artemia nauplii.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020). FishBase records it as an aquarium-trade species not taken by fisheries.