Two-Saddle Corydoras (Corydoras weitzmani) Care Guide
Corydoras weitzmani is a Peruvian armoured catfish with two dark saddles, long known only from old specimens until its rediscovery in 2004.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras weitzmani is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae described by Nijssen in 1971. It is distinguished by two dark saddle-shaped markings across the back and a dark band through the eye. For decades it was known only from a handful of old specimens, raising doubts about its survival, before being rediscovered in the wild in 2004.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras weitzmani
- Described by: Nijssen, 1971
Habitat
The type locality was originally listed as the Vilcanota river system near Cusco in southern Peru, but the collecting information proved inaccurate. The species was rediscovered in the Madre de Dios region of Peru in 2004 by ornamental fish collectors. It is a demersal freshwater fish associated with cooler waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 20-24 °C (68-75 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
Diet
An omnivore (trophic level around 3.0) that forages along the bottom, accepting sinking prepared foods alongside live and frozen items.
Compatibility
A peaceful bottom dweller best kept in groups of six or more on soft substrate. Suitable companions include tetras and Apistogramma; aggressive fish should be avoided.
Breeding
Corydoras weitzmani is an egg-depositor; breeding difficulty is considered intermediate.
Two-Saddle Corydoras (Corydoras weitzmani) Breeding Guide
Overview
Corydoras weitzmani originates from the Vilcanota river system near Cusco in southern Peru. It is a cooler-water cory that spawns in the characteristic Corydoras style, and is considered a prized species among hobbyists. Adults have no special water-chemistry requirements.
Conditioning
Maintain adults at a temperature of 20-24 degrees C (68-75 degrees F). For developing eggs the reported water chemistry is a pH of about 7, GH about 3 and KH below 1. Condition the group well before attempting to spawn.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The fish assume the typical Corydoras T-position; afterwards the female swims with an egg held in her fins, looking for a place to deposit it. Eggs are usually placed in a clump of moss and only rarely on the glass; floating Anubias leaves are also used.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 120 hours at 24 degrees C (75 degrees F). The larvae are unusually large; three or four days after hatching, once they have absorbed their yolk, feeding begins with microworms or freshly hatched Artemia nauplii three times per day, supported by a daily water change of about one third of the tank. At two months the fry are 2 cm (three quarters of an inch) long and have attained adult coloration.