Reynolds's Cory

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Colombian endemism, limited to the Caquetá river basin. The colonies of C. reynoldsi reside within forest peat bogs, igarapés, and slow channels, dominated by dense carpets of aquatic plants and a thick sandy/muddy bottom.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Graceful Corydoras with a compact and rounded cephalic profile ("short-snouted"). Given its limited size (rarely above 4.5 cm / 1.8 inches), it falls fully into the "dwarf" corys. Stocky profile but very elegant in swimming.

Social Behavior: Calm and insecure nature. It becomes confident and extroverted only if surrounded by at least 8-10 conspecifics. Patrols the ground in sync with the school; social breakdown due to small numbers will cause them to fade away apathetically.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Often confused with C. weitzmani or tukano, it boasts three imposing and large irregular blackish patches/saddles: an eye mask, a huge spot covering the dorsal and half belly, and a bar on the tail. Pure pink body background. Mature females have massive flanks and a round build.

Aquarium Setup: Impalpable and inert sand is a fixed law to avoid infections to the small and delicate whiskers. They love intricate mazes of bog wood covered with ferns or Anubias and well-amber waters due to the extract of oak or catappa leaves.

Diet and Feeding: Micro-carnivore. Flakes and granules must be crushed to accommodate its tiny mouth. Feed them vigorously alternating crumbled wafers with full-bodied bi-weekly injections of live and frozen food: microworms, small daphnia, cyclops, and brine shrimp.

Water Quality: Classic temperatures 22-26°C (72-79°F). The pH, tendentially acidic, must stay between 6.0 and 7.2. Limited hardness (GH 2-12) is indispensable. Suffers terribly, like all dwarfs, from excesses of nitrogenous compounds, demanding constant small partial changes.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Splendid gem for peaceful communities. Companions must not exceed 5-6 centimeters and must possess a quiet nature (Ember Tetras, Boraras, Corydoras pygmaeus, small Loricariids). Active or burrowing fish stress it mortally.

Aquarium Reproduction: Rare event, triggered by conspicuous water changes with very cold RO water. In T-position, females distribute very few (but large) eggs among fine-leaved plants. Parents disown the eggs and willingly feed on them if not separated.

Risks and Diseases: Sharp gravels crack the delicate sensory barbels, condemning it to bacteriosis. Like many "scaleless" fish, it is atrociously susceptible and intolerant to standard concentrations of Copper, Salt, and Formalin used for common diseases.