Pavanelli's Corydoras

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Found in Brazil in the Rio Corumbatai basin (State of Paraná). Populates watercourses with moderately rapid, clear or amber waters, characterized by very fine sand bottoms interrupted by thick carpets of muddy branches and rounded rocks.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Moderately compact member of the Callichthyidae family (5.5 cm / 2.2 inches). Presents the typical hydrodynamic and shielded profile, belongs to the standard/short snout morphological group and shares morphological similarities with the C. nattereri group.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and hardworking gregariousness. Untying it from its school (minimum 6-8 members) means witnessing an inexorable lethargy. Cohesive in the group, it undertakes constant scraping of the soil in a frantic search for benthic invertebrates.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Elegant and discreet: olive-gray body on a silvery base, characterized by a distinct and straight longitudinal black line that cleaves the entire flank in "nattereri" style. Mature females clearly recognizable by the paunchy circular silhouette against the straight male profile.

Aquarium Setup: Repudiates coarse and sharp-grained substrates. Prepare massive expanses of very fine river sand. Provide a strong oxygenation through light water currents and abundant shading (woods or Catappa) so as not to stress its sight.

Diet and Feeding: Voracious nocturnal micro-digger. Bottom tablets and specific granules prove sufficient only if integrated by abundant and regular weekly administrations of live baits: red bloodworms, daphnia, sunken tubifex and brine shrimp nauplii.

Water Quality: Typical values of temperate and neo-tropical areas: Temperature 22-26°C (72-79°F), pH oriented between 6.0 and 7.2. The water must be slightly hard (GH 2-12). Constantly siphon the bottom as the fish collapses and dies if nitrates exceed the warning threshold.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Superb specimen for placid mixed communities. Lives admirably with small Tetras (Neons, Rummy nose) or docile dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma, Laetacara). Banned crosses with voracious Loaches or aggressive Central American Cichlids.

Aquarium Reproduction: Rarely documented, obtained by mimicking violent cold thermal shocks and artificial RO rains. Standard mating in T-position. The breeders, if not separated on the fly, will swallow almost completely their small and precious adhesive brood.

Risks and Diseases: Very high sensitivity to common antiparasitic drugs (Copper, Formalin, Malachite green) to be used always in halved doses. Sharp gravels cause the progressive mutilation of the whiskers and the onset of incurable fungal pathologies in the mouth.