Banded Corydoras

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Stably inhabits the gallery forest in the hydrographic basins of the state of Maranhão in Brazil. Populates shallow rivers with slow to moderate flow, covered by vast litters of fallen leaves in amber and weakly acidic waters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: A magnificent Callichthyidae. It is ascribed to the "long-snouted" morphological group: it touches 5.5 centimeters (2.2 inches) and shows off a long, narrow and compact snout. Aerodynamic and powerful body structure, developed to stubbornly cleave the sandy layers in search of benthic food.

Social Behavior: Marked gregariousness and tireless exploratory dynamism. Breeding in dense gatherings of at least 6-8 individuals is essential: separated from the group it will reveal severe stress losing colors and hiding apathetically under the woods.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The name "vittatus" (equipped with a band) describes its pattern: a decisive and highly elegant horizontal black stripe entirely furrows the flanks, from the operculum to the caudal base, over a silvery mantle. Slightly spotted fins. Females notably swollen on the abdomen.

Aquarium Setup: Demands huge layers of very fine impalpable sand to vent digging frenzies without eroding the whiskers. Requires deep shade areas generated by intricate complexes of Manila or Red Moor woods covered with mosses and low epiphytes.

Diet and Feeding: Constant and ravenous bottom consumer. Fast granules and compressed tablets are the basis, but obligatorily demands generous tri-weekly protein intakes (live or thawed) such as huge daphnia, tubifex and red bloodworms to get stronger and lay eggs.

Water Quality: Standard South American range: 22-26°C (72-79°F), stable pH between 6.0 and 7.2 (acid-neutral) and very low hardness (GH 2-12). Barely tolerates any organic accumulation on the bottom: delicate but constant siphonings to avoid collapse and necrosis.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Ideal and harmless companion for placid community tanks. Join them with dither fish such as Nannostomus, slow Tetras or peaceful dwarf cichlids. Cohabitation with aggressive and gigantic Loricariids or Cichlids that monopolize the bottom by eating its meal is absolutely banned.

Aquarium Reproduction: Difficult, triggered in an isolated tank by sudden osmotic cooling (simulated "monsoons"). During T-mating, large and rare eggs are sealed along the glass. Isolation of the eggs from the voracious parents must be lightning fast.

Risks and Diseases: Absolute ban on insertion into tanks with pointed gravel (it will lethally shatter its barbels). Avoid overdoses of commercial drugs based on Malachite Green and Formalin, often lethal for bare-skinned Callichthyidae.