Imitator Corydoras Care Guide

Corydoras imitator is a long-snouted armoured catfish of the upper rio Negro, requiring soft, acidic blackwater conditions.

Overview

Corydoras imitator is a long-snouted armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Nijssen and Isbrucker in 1983 and currently placed by FishBase in the genus Brochis. It occurs in the upper Negro River basin and reaches a maximum standard length of about 5.6 cm. FishBase notes that it forms schools and is a facultative air-breather.

Taxonomy

Family: Callichthyidae
Genus: Corydoras
Scientific name: Corydoras imitator
Authors: Nijssen & Isbrucker, 1983
Current placement: Brochis imitator (FishBase)

Habitat

FishBase records the species from the upper Negro River basin. Seriously Fish describes it as endemic to the upper rio Negro basin in Amazonas state, Brazil, and southern Venezuela, in pristine blackwater tributaries and flooded forest with tea-coloured, organically stained water, alongside small characids, lebiasinids and dwarf cichlids.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 80 L
Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
pH: 5.5-7.0
GH: 1-10 °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, bloodworm and Tubifex, and stresses that it should not be expected to survive on leftovers or function as a tank cleaner.

Compatibility

Corydoras imitator is described by Seriously Fish as peaceful and gregarious, requiring groups of at least 4-6 individuals. Because it originates from soft, acidic blackwater, it is best kept with similarly adapted, peaceful South American species in such conditions.

Breeding

Seriously Fish recommends a ratio of two or more males per female and triggering spawning with large water changes (50-70%) using cooler water and increased oxygenation. Eggs hatch in roughly 3-4 days; fry require microworm and Artemia nauplii.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2020).