Corydoras simulatus Care Guide
Corydoras simulatus is a peaceful armored catfish from the upper rio Meta watershed in Colombia, closely resembling several similarly marked congeners.
Overview
Corydoras simulatus is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Weitzman and Nijssen in 1970. According to Seriously Fish it is endemic to the upper rio Meta watershed in Colombia, with the type locality near Puerto Lopez. It resembles several similarly marked congeners, so identification often relies on origin data; a pair of small rictal barbels helps distinguish it.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras simulatus
- Author: Weitzman & Nijssen, 1970
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the upper Meta River in Colombia and notes it prefers clean, clear water with current. Seriously Fish locates it in the upper rio Meta watershed near Puerto Lopez. It is a tropical, freshwater, demersal fish and a facultative air-breather.
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: 5-6 cm (FishBase max 4.9 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is a foraging omnivore. Seriously Fish notes it accepts sinking dried foods plus small live and frozen varieties such as bloodworm and Tubifex, and should not be relied upon to clean the tank or survive on leftovers. A fine sand substrate is preferred.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes it as peaceful and gregarious. It is a diurnal bottom-dweller well suited to community tanks with calm species such as tetras, rasboras and otocinclus, and should be maintained in a group of at least four to six individuals. Aggressive cichlids should be avoided.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (FishBase assessment dated 23 November 2020, criterion B2ab(iii,v)). Its restricted range warrants caution regarding wild collection.