Breeding Corydoras pastazensis

Breeding guide for the long-snouted Pastaza Cory (Corydoras pastazensis), a T-position egg-depositor with no confirmed captive spawning reports.

Overview

Corydoras pastazensis Weitzman, 1963 is a long-snouted callichthyid catfish reaching around 60-70 mm standard length, recorded at temperatures of 22-28 C and a pH of 5.0-7.0 (Seriously Fish). Like other members of the genus it is an egg-depositor. No confirmed reports of this species being bred in the home aquarium are documented, so the protocol below follows the well-established Corydoras pattern.

Sexing

Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, an effect that becomes most obvious when females are gravid (Seriously Fish). Viewed from above, a ripe female is conspicuously wider across the body.

Conditioning

Condition prospective breeders on a varied diet of live and frozen foods such as bloodworm, alongside good-quality sinking dried foods, until females fill with eggs. A group containing several males to each female improves the chance of a productive spawn.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Corydoras are typically induced to spawn by a large, cooler water change that simulates seasonal rain. During spawning the fish adopt the classic 'T' position, in which the male's body is held at right angles to the female's head while she collects sperm; she then carries a small clutch of eggs cupped in her pelvic fins and attaches them to a chosen surface (Seriously Fish).

Egg & Fry Care

Eggs are placed on plant leaves, the aquarium glass or other firm surfaces and are not guarded by the adults. They can be left in place or moved to a separate rearing container. After hatching the tiny fry should be offered finely powdered first foods, followed by microworm and Artemia nauplii as they grow.

Common Challenges

Because the species is uncommon in the hobby and has no documented captive spawning, obtaining a sexed adult group is the main obstacle. Soft, slightly acidic water within the recorded range and stable, clean conditions give the best chance of success.