Bluespotted Corydoras (Corydoras melanistius) Care Guide
Corydoras melanistius is a hardy armoured catfish from the Guianas and northern Brazil, finely spotted with a dark blotch on the dorsal fin.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras melanistius, the bluespotted cory, is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae described by Regan in 1912. The specific epithet melanistius refers to its dark dorsal fin, translating roughly as "black sail". It is a robust, easily kept species with fine dark spotting over a pale body.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras melanistius
- Described by: Regan, 1912
Habitat
The species occurs in coastal rivers of Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname, in tropical freshwater inland waters. It is a bottom-oriented fish of soft-substrate habitats.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
An omnivore feeding on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects and plant matter in nature. In aquaria it accepts sinking dried foods complemented with live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A peaceful, hardy bottom dweller suited to community tanks. Best kept in groups of six or more with tetras, rasboras and dwarf cichlids; aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Breeding
Corydoras melanistius is an egg-depositor. During spawning the female holds 2-4 eggs between her pelvic fins while they are fertilised, then attaches the sticky eggs to vegetation; the pair repeats this until roughly 100 eggs are laid, and the adults do not guard them. Breeding difficulty is considered intermediate.
Bluespotted Corydoras (Corydoras melanistius) Breeding Guide
Overview
Corydoras melanistius occurs in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana and reaches about 5.5 cm (2.2 inches). It is an egg-depositing catfish bred using the classic Corydoras method of a cooler-water change to trigger T-position spawning.
Sexing
Females are noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, particularly when carrying eggs. The difference is most visible when the fish are viewed from above.
Conditioning
Condition the fish on a varied diet of live, frozen and dried foods, using a ratio of two males per female. Keep them within the species range of 22-26 degrees C (72-79 degrees F), pH 6.0-7.0 and a hardness of 2-15 dH.
Breeding Setup
A breeding tank of around 18 by 12 by 12 inches works well, with a bare bottom, sand or fine gravel substrate. Eggs are generally laid on the aquarium glass.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Trigger spawning with a large (50-70%) water change using cooler water while increasing oxygenation and flow, repeated daily until the fish spawn. During the T-position the male grasps the female's barbels between his pectoral fin and body and releases sperm toward her pelvic fins; she forms a basket to deposit single eggs, with up to 4 released at a time.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 3-5 days. Once the yolk sacs are absorbed the fry accept microworm and brine shrimp nauplii as first foods, and they appear less susceptible to disease when kept over a thin layer of sand.