Mamoré Cory
Gastrodermus mamore
A captivating and little-known Bolivian gem characterized by a diffuse golden shade and intricate, delicate spotting. It thrives in mature setups with leaf litter and fine sand.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 26 °C
pH-Wert
6 - 7.2
Wassertyp
Süßwasser
Tankfüllstand
Unten
Erwachsenengröße
5 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 80 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 species to the Rio Mamoré basin in Bolivia (hence the name). Found in shallow forest streams, swamps, and seasonally flooded areas, characterized by clear or amber waters and sandy/silty bottoms rich in organic debris.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Previously known as Corydoras sp. "C056". Moderate-sized specimen (5 cm / 2 inches) belonging to the short-snouted group, it presents a stocky but aerodynamic body and the classic two rows of lateral bony plates for protection.
Social Behavior: Extremely gregarious and sociable, has no aggressive inclinations. A well-sized school (minimum 6-8 individuals) is vital to guarantee its daytime exploratory activity. In case of low numbers, it will tend to hide all day.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Elegant light spotted or "saddle" livery. The pinkish-gray body is densely covered with microscopic dark freckles. Conspicuous dark spot like a bandage over the eye and large spots ("saddles") along the back. Females appear decidedly more massive and round.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: The substrate must absolutely consist of very fine edgeless sand. The use of branched wood and copious leaf litter (Catappa) is recommended, which, by darkening the water, reassures the group. Adequate filtration without excessive currents.
Diet and Feeding: Classic benthic omnivore diet: forage it with the lights off to avoid competition. Essential quality sinking tabs mixed with substantial doses of live or frozen brine shrimp nauplii, daphnia, and small bloodworms.
Water Quality: Tolerates classic tropical ranges: Temperature between 22 and 26°C (72-79°F). The ideal pH for this species should remain acidic-neutral (6.0 - 7.2) and low or medium hardness (GH 2-12). Keep in mature tanks free from ammoniacal spikes.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent community guest for peaceful South American biotopes. Shares the tank in harmony with Micro-Rasboras, dwarf Tetras, and quiet Loricariids (Otocinclus). Never pair them with impetuous cichlids or large voracious grazers that would intimidate it.
Aquarium Breeding: Reproduction in T-position. It is stimulated with strong cold water changes. Lays single adhesive eggs among mosses or fine-leaved plants. Moderate propensity towards cannibalism, parents must be separated after spawning.
Risks and Diseases: The whiskers, essential sensory organs, go into necrosis on sharp bottoms (quartz), condemning the fish to death by starvation. Suffers acutely, like all Callichthyidae, from any curatives based on Malachite Green, Copper, or pure Sodium Chloride in solution.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic species to the Rio Mamoré basin in Bolivia (hence the name). Found in shallow forest streams, swamps, and seasonally flooded areas, characterized by clear or amber waters and sandy/silty bottoms rich in organic debris.
Ursprung
Extra-Amazonas-Südamerika
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Exhibiting an inherently peaceful and gregarious temperament, *Gastrodermus mamore* 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
- 3-5 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 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, *Gastrodermus mamore* 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
- As a small benthic catfish, *Gastrodermus mamore* 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 *Gastrodermus mamore* 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
Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 3 ± 0,3 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5001
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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