Orphan Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras orphnopterus is a peaceful armored catfish from the Pastaza River basin in Ecuador, uncommon in the aquarium hobby.
Overview
Corydoras orphnopterus is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Weitzman and Nijssen in 1970. It is a hardy, faintly speckled species that is relatively uncommon in the aquarium hobby. Several taxonomic sources now place it in the genus Brochis.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras orphnopterus
- Authors: Weitzman & Nijssen, 1970
- Recognised combination: Brochis orphnopterus (Weitzman & Nijssen, 1970)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Pastaza River basin in Ecuador. It is a tropical freshwater, demersal fish living close to the substrate of slow-moving waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Size: 4-5 cm (FishBase max 5.8 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. As with other Corydoras it forages along the bottom and in aquaria should be offered sinking dried foods supplemented with small live and frozen foods over a soft sand substrate that protects its barbels.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal bottom-dweller suited to community aquaria with small, calm species such as tetras, rasboras and otocinclus. It should be maintained in a group of at least six and kept away from aggressive cichlids.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 16 November 2020).