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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Breeding Corydoras haraldschultzi
Overview
Corydoras haraldschultzi (also placed in the genus Brochis) is a callichthyid catfish endemic to the Rio Guapore in Bolivia and western Brazil (Mato Grosso). Seriously Fish gives a maximum standard length of 75-85 mm. It is a long-snouted lookalike of C. sterbai, distinguished by its more extended snout, larger adult size, and dark vermiculations and spots on a light background (the reverse of C. sterbai's light markings on a dark background).
Sexing
Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males. Wikipedia notes the female drops eggs into her ventral fin pouch before placing them at a previously cleaned site.
Conditioning
Condition the group thoroughly and keep two or more males per female if possible, which improves fertilisation rates during spawning.
Breeding Setup
Provide flat surfaces such as the aquarium glass, fine-leaved plants, or spawning mops as deposition sites. Fry perform better over a thin layer of sand than in a bare tank.
Spawning Behaviour & Trigger
Trigger spawning with a large 50-70% water change using cooler water, and increase oxygenation and flow. Repeat daily until the fish spawn. Eggs reported on Wikipedia measure about 2 mm in diameter and are laid mainly on the underside of fern leaves, close together; adults do not guard the eggs.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs are deposited on the glass, among fine-leaved vegetation, or within sunken spawning mops, the latter recommended for easy removal. Incubation is normally 3-4 days, after which yolk-absorbed fry accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia nauplii. Maintain excellent water quality throughout.
Common Challenges
Because adults do not guard the eggs, eggs and fry are best moved away from adults to prevent predation; fungal loss is reduced by removing infertile eggs and adding antifungal agents.