Reticulated Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras reticulatus is a peaceful armoured catfish from the lower Amazon basin in Brazil, recognised by its reticulated body pattern.
Overview
Corydoras reticulatus is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Fraser-Brunner in 1938. The common names reticulated, mosaic or network corydoras refer to the network of dark lines forming a patterned body. It is a very peaceful, schooling bottom-dweller.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras reticulatus
Habitat
The species is native to the lower Amazon River basin in Brazil. It inhabits tropical freshwater and, like related corydoras, supplements gill respiration with facultative air-breathing.
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
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Substrate: fine sand
Diet
An omnivore that takes worms, benthic crustaceans, insects and plant matter in the wild. In aquaria it accepts sinking dried foods plus small live and frozen items such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and chopped earthworm; a varied diet maintains good condition.
Compatibility
Corydoras reticulatus is very peaceful and well-suited to community aquaria with small characins, cyprinids, anabantoids, dwarf cichlids and other peaceful catfish. It should be kept in groups of at least six and avoided with aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
Females are noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, especially when carrying eggs. Spawning follows the typical corydoras pattern in which the female holds eggs between her pelvic fins for fertilisation before attaching them; eggs hatch in about 3-4 days and fry accept microworm and brine shrimp nauplii.