Reticulated Corydoras

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Lower Amazon River basin in Brazil. Populates slow-flowing environments, often flooded, with clear waters but loaded with foliage and mixed substrates (sand and silt).

Taxonomy and Morphology: Reticulated Corydoras (Corydoras reticulatus). Often mistaken for C. sodalis, but the reticulatus has a conspicuous black spot on the dorsal fin.

Social Behavior: Very calm bottom explorer. Exquisitely schooling species, it becomes insecure and constantly hidden if kept singly or in pairs.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: On the pearl-gray / silvery background an extraordinary and dense uninterrupted black "reticulation" covers the entire body. Obvious black spot on the upper part of the dorsal fin. Very round females.

Aquarium Setup: 80 cm (32 inches) community tank. A fine sand floor is essential to safeguard the sensory barbels. The addition of shelters (half coconuts, terracotta tubes) and curved wood is excellent.

Diet and Feeding: Bottom omnivore. Sustains itself with branded granules, tablets and fresh foods (bloodworms) or moistened flakes made to sink. Does not disdain to rummage patina algae to extract microorganisms.

Water Quality: Moderately demanding: prefers well-oxygenated water and, while accepting medium GH, demands nitrates below 20 ppm. Being benthic, it suffers terribly from polluted waters.

Compatibility and Tankmates: The ideal tenant for an Amazonian biotope. Would do well with small Nannostomus, Carnegiella (hatchetfish) and peaceful Cichlids such as Mikrogeophagus ramirezi or altispinosus.

Aquarium Reproduction: The female lays highly adhesive eggs in large numbers (over 100), scattered among fine-leaved vegetation or against the walls lapped by the filter jet.

Risks and Diseases: Traumatic erosion of the barbels causes the rapid onset of bacteriosis. Intolerant to copper.