False Spotted Corydoras

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Upper Amazon River basin (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia). Inhabits slow-flowing forest streams, flooded areas and minor tributaries rich in debris, wood and clay bottoms.

Taxonomy and Morphology: False Spotted Corydoras (Corydoras leucomelas). Short-snouted species with a robust body, armored with typical bony plates, with well-developed barbels for sensory perception in the mud.

Social Behavior: Distinctly gregarious and very peaceful fish. Absolutely essential to keep in groups of at least 6, preferably 10 individuals. Very active and tireless food seeker.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery gray body covered with irregular black spots ("pepper"). Characterized by a prominent vertical black "mask" passing through the eye. The dorsal fin is mostly black, unlike C. agassizii. Females larger and swollen.

Aquarium Setup: Fine sand is essential. It is a fish that loves to rummage: abrasive substrates will cause the loss of barbels. Insert branches, bark and oak leaves on the bottom to provide shelter.

Diet and Feeding: Bottom micro-predator and omnivore. Feed it not only with sinking tablets, but also abundantly with bloodworms, tubifex (which it is greedy for) and daphnia. Often digs to extract food.

Water Quality: Requires good oxygenation and nitrate-free water. Resistant species, but suffers greatly from chemical fluctuations and the accumulation of rotting debris in the sand.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Excellent fish for the bottom of the South American community tank. Peaceful with Loricariids (e.g. Ancistrus), schooling Tetras and dwarf cichlids, with no predatory aptitude.

Aquarium Reproduction: Induced by suddenly lowering the temperature by 2-3°C (4-5°F) through water changes. After the classic T-dance, the female scatters dozens of adhesive eggs on the glass and plant leaves.

Risks and Diseases: Sensitive to bacteriosis that attacks the abdomen and barbels on dirty or poorly managed bottoms.