Smudge Spot Cory

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Madeira River in Brazil. Gathers in thick schools in small secondary tributary watercourses, often in the shade of the dense Amazon forest and on clean sandy beds.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Smudge Spot Corydoras (Corydoras similis). The Latin name "similis" was given to it due to its marked juvenile resemblance to C. caudimaculatus (from which it differs in adulthood).

Social Behavior: Hyper-gregarious and extremely sociable fish. Groups of less than 6 units waste away. Constantly moves on the bottom, probing it with its mouth apparatus in search of invertebrates.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sophisticated and fascinating coloration: a dense spotted reticulation covers the entire light purplish-gray body. The unmistakable feature is the intense dark purplish "smudged" spot on the caudal peduncle, without sharp edges.

Aquarium Setup: Ideal from 60 cm (24 inches) in length. Essential the use of impalpable sand or extremely rounded quartz. The use of amber water (Tannins) via peat or leaves on the bottom is recommended.

Diet and Feeding: Insatiable micro-predator. Will appreciate tablets based on crustaceans and protein meals, but requires regular evening administrations of frozen bloodworms, tubifex or daphnia.

Water Quality: Very resistant if exempt from the presence of high nitrates, which inexorably intoxicate armored fish. Make sure to occasionally siphon the uncovered areas of sand.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Magnificent tankmate for South American community tanks (e.g. with Lemon Tetras, Pristella, Rasboras or Apistogramma cacatuoides). Totally unaware of who swims in the upper layers.

Aquarium Reproduction: Moderately easy. A drastic downward temperature variation will act as a biological trigger for egg-laden females, followed by T-fertilization by trailing males.

Risks and Diseases: Mechanical abrasion of the barbels causes an irreversible impediment to feeding. Fears medicines based on copper and malachite green if used at full dosage.