Spotfin Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras punctatus is a peaceful armored catfish from the Suriname and Iracoubo basins, the original species of a widely confused group.
Overview
Corydoras punctatus is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Bloch in 1794 — one of the earliest described Corydoras. It is the original C. punctatus and is often confused with similar reticulated species. Wikipedia notes it is rarely seen and that sexing is difficult until adulthood. Some sources now place it in the genus Hoplisoma.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras punctatus
- Author: Bloch, 1794
- Recognised combination: Hoplisoma punctatum (Bloch, 1794)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the Suriname River basin in Suriname and the Iracoubo River basin in French Guiana, which Wikipedia confirms. FishBase notes it inhabits small, moderately sunny, shallow creeks with sandy to muddy substrates and also the edges of stagnant flooded forest such as dams and lakes, preferring upstream locations.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 22-26 °C (72-79 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Size: 5-6 cm (FishBase max 6.6 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. Wikipedia reports it accepts many foods including shrimp pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp and pre-soaked flake food. A soft sand substrate protects its barbels while it forages.
Compatibility
Wikipedia describes it as a social fish. It is a peaceful, diurnal bottom-dweller suited to community aquaria with small, calm species such as tetras, rasboras and otocinclus, kept in a group of at least six and away from aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
According to Wikipedia, the species can breed easily; sexing is difficult until the fish reach adulthood.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 15 October 2020).