Sychri Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras sychri is a small armoured catfish from the Nanay River basin in Loreto, Peru, kept in peaceful bottom-dwelling groups.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras sychri is a small armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by S. H. Weitzman in 1960. It is a peaceful, schooling bottom-dweller with a slender body and fine spotting. The species is restricted to the Nanay River basin in Loreto, Peru.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras sychri
Habitat
The species occurs in freshwater, demersal habitats of the Nanay River basin in Loreto, Peru. Like other corydoras it is a facultative air-breather, periodically rising to the surface to gulp atmospheric air.
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
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Substrate: soft sand
Diet
Corydoras sychri is an omnivore. In the wild it feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects and plant matter. In aquaria it accepts sinking dried foods supplemented with small live and frozen items.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, active bottom-dwelling species that does best in groups of six or more. It suits community tanks alongside tetras, rasboras and otocinclus, and should not be housed with aggressive cichlids.
Breeding
Corydoras sychri uses the typical corydoras spawning method: the female carries 2-4 eggs between her pelvic fins while the male fertilises them over about 30 seconds, after which the adhesive eggs are attached to vegetation. The process repeats until roughly 100 eggs are deposited; the adults do not guard them.
Corydoras sychri Breeding Guide
Overview
Corydoras sychri, Sychr's catfish, is a small armoured catfish reaching a maximum length of about 1.7 inches (4.3 cm). It occurs in the Nanay River basin in Loreto, Peru (Wikipedia). It is a peaceful egg-depositor and, unlike many congeners, has documented spawning behaviour recorded for the species.
Sexing
As in the genus, mature females are the broader, fuller-bodied sex, most evident when they are carrying eggs and viewed from above. Detailed species-specific sexing notes are limited in the consulted sources, but the rounder, egg-filled female body is the practical guide.
Conditioning
In the wild the species feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects and plant matter (Wikipedia). Conditioning on a varied diet of similar live, frozen and dried foods brings females into spawning condition, and keeping the fish in a group encourages the social behaviour that precedes spawning.
Breeding Setup
Provide soft, slightly acidic water and dense vegetation for egg attachment, along with a fine sand base that suits this bottom-dwelling species. The species tolerates pH 6.0-8.0, a hardness of about 2-25 dGH and a temperature of roughly 22-26 degrees C (Wikipedia); for spawning, soft water at the lower temperature end is appropriate.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The female holds 2-4 eggs between her pelvic fins, where the male fertilizes them for about 30 seconds; she then swims to a suitable spot and attaches the very sticky eggs. The pair repeats this process until approximately 100 eggs have been fertilized and attached, with eggs laid in dense vegetation and no parental care given afterwards (Wikipedia). The dense planting gives the female ample anchoring sites across the spawning session.
Egg & Fry Care
Because the adults give no parental care and Corydoras readily eat eggs, removing the parents or transferring the eggs protects the clutch. The fry hatch within about 4-6 days (Wikipedia); once free-swimming they accept small first foods such as microworm and newly hatched brine shrimp, and benefit from a thin sand layer and frequent small water changes.
Common Challenges
Maintaining soft, clean water and protecting the adhesive eggs from the unguarding adults are the principal challenges. Fungus on unfertilised eggs and unstable water during rearing are the usual causes of loss, so hygiene through the egg and early fry stages is critical.