Prionotos Bearded Cory (Scleromystax prionotos) Care Guide
Scleromystax prionotos is a small armoured catfish from coastal river systems of south-eastern Brazil, reaching about 6-7 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Scleromystax prionotos is an armoured catfish of the family Callichthyidae, also known as the mailed catfishes. According to Seriously Fish it reaches 55-65 mm standard length and is a facultative air breather, with an intestine adapted to oxygen-poor environments. It is closely related to the larger bearded cory S. barbatus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callichthyidae
- Genus: Scleromystax
- Scientific name: Scleromystax prionotos
Habitat
Seriously Fish records S. prionotos from coastal river systems in the Brazilian states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, with a type locality at Lagoa Juparaná in the Rio Doce system, Espírito Santo. As a facultative air breather it occasionally rises to the surface to gulp air.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 18-24 °C (64-75 °F)
- pH: 6.0-7.5
- GH: 2-15 °dGH
- Group size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
Seriously Fish describes S. prionotos as a foraging omnivore accepting sinking dried foods as well as small live and frozen varieties such as chironomid larvae (bloodworm) and Tubifex. A soft sand substrate allows natural foraging without barbel damage.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish notes that the pectoral spines are capable of piercing human skin and may carry mildly toxic secretions, so the fish should be handled with care. The KB record lists tetras, rasboras and Otocinclus as compatible, while aggressive cichlids are best avoided. Best kept on soft sand in groups of six or more.
Scleromystax prionotos Breeding Guide
Overview
Scleromystax prionotos is a cory-relative reaching about 55-65 mm standard length, recorded from coastal river systems of Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo states in Brazil. It is a foraging omnivore best kept over fine sand. It is closely related to S. barbatus, and because its own Seriously Fish profile carries no detailed breeding data, the well-documented S. barbatus pattern is the most reliable guide.
Sexing
Seriously Fish provides no species-specific sexing detail. In Scleromystax, mature males generally show stronger head bristles and pattern while females become rounder and broader when in breeding condition; this is presented as a genus-level expectation.
Breeding Setup
- Tank with base dimensions of at least 120 x 30 cm (Seriously Fish)
- Filtration delivering roughly 4-5 times the tank volume per hour
- Cool, clean, well-oxygenated freshwater
- Fine sand base with fine-leaved plants and spawning mops as egg sites
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
No species-specific spawning sequence is published. Following the closely related S. barbatus, a large cooler water change with increased oxygenation and flow, repeated daily, is the usual stimulus; the eggs are then deposited on glass, plants and spawning mops. This is offered as a genus-level approach.
Egg & Fry Care
As the adults do not provide reliable care, the eggs should be protected or separated for hatching. Following S. barbatus, fungus control and high water quality aid survival, and free-swimming fry are reared on small live foods. No species-specific fry data is published.