Black-Band Corydoras Care Guide
Corydoras zygatus, the black band catfish, is a peaceful armored catfish from the western Amazon basin in South America.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Corydoras zygatus is an armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae, described by Eigenmann and Allen in 1942. According to FishBase it occurs in the western Amazon River basin in South America, where its common name is black band catfish. FishBase lists a standard length of about 5.6 cm and places the species in the genus Osteogaster as Osteogaster zygata. It closely resembles Corydoras rabauti.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Corydoras
- Scientific name: Corydoras zygatus
- Author: Eigenmann & Allen, 1942
- Recognised combination: Osteogaster zygata (Eigenmann & Allen, 1942)
Habitat
FishBase records the species from the western Amazon River basin. It is a tropical, freshwater, demersal fish living near the bottom, and FishBase notes it is a facultative air-breather.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L
- Temperature: 22-25 °C (72-77 °F) per FishBase
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-12 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Size: 5-6 cm (FishBase max 5.6 cm SL)
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore with a recorded trophic level of about 3.0 in FishBase. As with other Corydoras it forages along the substrate and in aquaria should be offered sinking dried foods supplemented with small live and frozen foods. A soft sand substrate protects its barbels while it sifts for food.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful, diurnal bottom-dweller suited to community aquaria with calm species such as tetras, rasboras and otocinclus. It should be maintained in a group of at least six and kept away from aggressive cichlids.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (FishBase assessment dated 15 October 2020). FishBase notes the species enters both commercial fisheries and the aquarium trade.
Corydoras zygatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Corydoras zygatus, the Black-Band Cory, is recorded from the Ucayali, Huallaga, Santiago and Pastaza river systems of eastern Ecuador and northern Peru, growing to 60-70 mm; FishBase places it in the western Amazon basin (now also treated as Osteogaster zygata) and lists it as Least Concern (2020). It closely resembles C. rabauti and spawns in the genus's typical T-position.
Sexing
Seriously Fish states that females tend to grow larger and that sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males.
Conditioning
Condition the 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 where possible.
Breeding Setup
Seriously Fish reports maintenance parameters of 20-26 degrees C, pH 5.5-7.5 and hardness 36-215 ppm. Provide good filtration and somewhere for eggs to be laid, such as aquarium glass, fine-leaved vegetation or sunken spawning mops.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Trigger spawning with a large 50-70% water change using cooler water while increasing oxygenation and flow, repeated daily until the fish spawn. Eggs are deposited on the aquarium glass, among fine-leaved vegetation or within sunken spawning mops in the genus's T-position; after spawning, remove the adults or the eggs.
Egg & Fry Care
Seriously Fish gives an incubation period of normally 3-4 days. Most breeders add a few drops of methylene blue or an alder cone or two to prevent the eggs developing fungus. Once the fry have fully absorbed their yolk sacs they accept small live foods such as microworm and Artemia (brine shrimp) nauplii, and require excellent water quality.
Common Challenges
Fry do better over a thin layer of sand than in a bare arrangement. Fungused eggs and poor water quality are the usual causes of losses, so keep the eggs and fry clean and well-oxygenated.