Rust Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras rabauti, the rust or rusty cory, is a peaceful catfish from the upper Amazon with a rusty-orange body and a dark dorsal band.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras rabauti is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by La Monte in 1941. The adult has a rusty-orange body with a dark band along the back; juveniles look very different. Some taxonomic sources now place it in the genus Osteogaster.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras rabauti
- Author: La Monte, 1941
- Recognised combination: Osteogaster rabauti (La Monte, 1941)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the upper Amazon, Solimões and Negro river basins. Seriously Fish reports it mainly from the rio Javarí, an Amazon tributary on the Brazil–Peru border, likely occurring in both countries and possibly Colombia. It is a tropical freshwater, demersal fish; aquaria use fine sand with driftwood.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (base around 90 × 30 cm)
- 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 5.0 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivorous forager. Seriously Fish notes it accepts sinking dried foods plus small live and frozen options such as bloodworm and Tubifex, and should not rely on leftovers from tank mates.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes it as peaceful and gregarious, best kept in groups. It suits community aquaria with small, calm tank mates such as tetras, rasboras and otocinclus, and should be kept away from aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish, breeding is triggered by large water changes of 50–70% with cooler water. Eggs are deposited on glass or spawning mops and incubate for three to four days; fry require small live foods and excellent water quality. Females grow larger and are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males when mature.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 15 October 2020).
Corydoras rabauti Breeding Guide
Overview
Corydoras rabauti, the Rust Corydoras, is a callichthyid catfish recorded from the Rio Javari on the Brazil/Peru border and likely Colombia, reaching about 55-65 mm. According to Seriously Fish it has been bred in aquaria; like other members of the genus it is an egg-depositing spawner that uses the characteristic T-position. The notes below summarise the documented spawning protocol for this species.
Sexing
Seriously Fish states that females tend to grow larger and that sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males. The difference is clearest when females are full of eggs, viewed from above.
Conditioning
Condition a group on a varied diet of live, frozen and dried foods until the females fill out with eggs. Seriously Fish recommends keeping two or more males per female to improve the chance of a successful spawn.
Breeding Setup
Seriously Fish reports maintenance temperatures of 20-27 degrees C, pH of 5.5-7.2 and hardness of 18-215 ppm for this species. Provide good filtration and somewhere for eggs to be laid, such as aquarium glass, fine-leaved plants or sunken spawning mops; mops are recommended because they make egg removal easy.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
To trigger spawning, perform large 50-70% water changes with cooler water while increasing oxygenation and flow, repeated daily until the fish spawn. Spawning follows the genus T-position: the male grasps the female's barbels while she forms a basket with her pelvic fins, into which a small clutch of eggs (typically a single egg, though up to four can be released at once) is deposited and then attached to a chosen surface.
Egg & Fry Care
Seriously Fish gives an incubation period of roughly 3-4 days. Many breeders add a few drops of methylene blue or an alder cone to the hatching container to discourage fungus. Once the fry have fully absorbed their yolk sacs they accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia (brine shrimp) nauplii.
Common Challenges
Seriously Fish notes the fry are not the easiest to raise and require excellent water quality; they fare better over a thin layer of sand than in a fully bare arrangement. Fungused eggs and poor water quality are the most common causes of losses.