Maculifer Cory
Corydoras maculifer
Robust and fascinating species from the Tocantins covered by dense blackish polka dots and characterized by a high and powerful body. Prefers moderately moving waters.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 26 °C
pH-Wert
6 - 7.2
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten
Erwachsenengröße
5,5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 100 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
50 - 280 ppm
Leitfähigkeit
78 - 438 uS/cm
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Brazil, specifically the Tocantins and Araguaia river basins. Populates moderately flowing rivers, with both clear and turbid waters, where the substrate is mainly composed of banks of pure, fine sand covered by sparse foliage.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Medium-sized (5.5 cm / 2.2 inches). Belongs to the morphological group of long-snouted Corydoras. The tapered cranial conformation gives it an advantage in sinking its head almost entirely into the sand to flush out prey.
Social Behavior: Active and tireless forager. Natural schooling behavior is obligatory: it requires groups of 6 to 10+ specimens to overcome the shyness induced by predatory shapes. Males often show harmless hierarchical parades.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: "Dotted" livery: on a pale background (cream or silvery) stand out 5 to 7 longitudinal lines formed by distinct and precise black spots (maculifer = spot-bearer). No black saddle. Females appear markedly taller and more robust, especially at maturity.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: The use of quartz or sharp gravel is absolutely forbidden: they require tanks with a strictly silica sand bottom to avoid destroying the barbels. Add smooth branches and a few flat rocks to create natural shaded areas without impeding free swimming on the bottom.
Diet and Feeding: Digging micropredator. The diet must be calibrated with sinking protein tablets, but above all it cannot ignore abundant integrations of live or frozen food (red mosquito larvae, bloodworms, tubifex, and brine shrimp).
Water Quality: Temperature 22-26°C (72-79°F). Medium/low water hardness (GH 2-12). Slightly acidic or neutral pH (6.0 - 7.2). The organic degradation of the tank will cause asphyxia and fin clamping in a short time.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent for South American community aquariums. Ideal with schools of small and medium Tetras, dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma, Mikrogeophagus) provided they are not territorial during breeding. Avoid Loaches and large Loricariids that would deprive them of food.
Aquarium Breeding: Extremely rare in captivity. Prompted by cold thermal shocks. Couples, in a T-position, lay a few large sticky eggs on vegetation or glass; parents show a strong inclination to prey on their own brood if not separated.
Risks and Diseases: Necrosis of the barbels caused by unsuitable substrate (roughness) condemns it to certain death by malnutrition and systemic bacterial infections. Severe lethality associated with Copper-based (Cu) treatments.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic to Brazil, specifically the Tocantins and Araguaia river basins. Populates moderately flowing rivers, with both clear and turbid waters, where the substrate is mainly composed of banks of pure, fine sand covered by sparse foliage.
Ursprung
Amazonas, Orinoco und GuayanaOstasien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Exhibiting an inherently peaceful and gregarious temperament, *Corydoras maculifer* is completely non-aggressive toward its tank mates. They are highly social creatures that find security in numbers, making them playful and active when kept in a sufficient shoal. A lone individual will often become stressed, reclusive, and susceptible to disease. Their amiable disposition makes them one of the most endearing and universally beloved additions to any freshwater community setup.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are omnivorous bottom feeders that forage for small insects, worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, and granules. It is highly recommended to supplement their diet with regular offerings of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and condition. Care should be taken to ensure that food reaches the bottom before being consumed by mid-water swimming fish.
- Lebenserwartung
- 5-8 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 5.5 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- Group
- For general display purposes, the sex ratio is relatively unimportant as long as they are kept in a suitably sized group of at least six individuals. However, for those aiming to breed them, a ratio of two to three males for every single female often yields the best results. The increased number of males encourages competitive courtship and ensures higher fertilization rates during spawning. Identifying the sexes becomes easier as they mature, with females typically appearing significantly broader and rounder than the sleeker males.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- To maintain their energy levels and overall health, *Corydoras maculifer* should be fed small amounts one to two times per day. It is important to only offer what they can completely consume within about three to five minutes to prevent water fouling. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and subsequent health issues, especially considering their bottom-dwelling nature. Observing their feeding behavior during meals can help adjust the portions to meet their specific metabolic needs.
- Bioload
- Low to Medium
- As a small benthic catfish, *Corydoras maculifer* contributes a relatively low bioload to the aquarium ecosystem. They are efficient scavengers that help break down uneaten food, which slightly mitigates their own waste production. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload of the shoal should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality and prevent the accumulation of nitrates on the substrate.
- Fluss
- Stagnant
- They naturally inhabit sluggish tributaries, floodplains, and pools with relatively gentle water movement. In the aquarium, they appreciate a moderate flow that provides good oxygenation without creating overwhelming currents. Harsh, direct water flow should be avoided as it can cause exhaustion and stress for these small fish. Providing areas of calmer water behind hardscape or plants allows them comfortable resting spots.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- While not generally known as prolific jumpers, they do possess the ability to leap out of the water if startled or if water conditions deteriorate. Like all Corydoras, they occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, and during this rapid ascent, they might accidentally breach the surface too forcefully. A well-fitting aquarium lid is highly recommended to prevent any tragic accidents. Ensuring optimal water parameters will also minimize any erratic surfacing behavior.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- Breeding *Corydoras maculifer* involves simulating the rainy season through large, cooler water changes and feeding highly nutritious live foods. The female will gather eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins while the male fertilizes them. Following fertilization, the female carefully deposits the adhesive eggs onto broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or flat stones. Because the parents may consume their own eggs, it is best to rear the fry in a separate, dedicated breeding tank with meticulous water quality management.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Community
- This species is exceptionally peaceful and makes an excellent addition to a community aquarium. They do not bother other fish and are perfectly safe to keep with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. It is crucial to avoid keeping them with large, aggressive, or predatory species that might view them as food or nip at their delicate barbels. They thrive best when kept alongside other docile species that occupy the middle and upper levels of the water column.
- Tankfüllstand
- Bottom
- This species is a classic bottom dweller that spends the vast majority of its time resting on or foraging through the substrate. You will frequently observe them sifting through fine sand with their sensitive barbels in search of hidden morsels. Although they mostly remain at the lowest level of the aquarium, they will make periodic, lightning-fast dashes to the water surface to gulp air. Their predominantly benthic nature means they require plenty of uninterrupted swimming space along the tank floor.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 3 ± 0,3 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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