Encyclopaedia
Bearded Catfish / Banded Cory
Scleromystax barbatus
The largest and most spectacular 'Corydoras'. A subtropical coldwater fish that dies of cardiac failure at tropical temperatures.
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Brasile sud-orientale (fiumi costieri da Rio de Janeiro a Santa Catarina)
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South America
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
18 °C - 24 °C
6 - 7.5
Freshwater
Bottom
10 cm
Description
Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to coastal streams of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, from Rio de Janeiro to Santa Catarina. Cool waters (15-22°C) under the rainforest canopy with fine sand and leaf litter bottoms. Temperatures rarely exceed 23°C.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Reclassified from Corydoras to Scleromystax. Males reach 10-12 cm and develop a forest of keratinized bristles (odontodes) on their cheeks. Much more robust dermal bone plating than regular Corydoras.
Social Behavior: Gregarious, needs schools of 6-8+. Males establish complex hierarchies with ritual duels involving cheek-bristle rubbing. In small groups, the dominant male relentlessly persecutes the subordinate.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Among the most spectacular dimorphism in bottom-dwellers. Mature males show black-gold bodies with brilliant yellow iridescent vermiculations, bristled cheeks, and thickened pectoral fins. Females are uniform beige-brown.
Care and observations
Tank Setup: Exclusively fine sand substrate. Driftwood and catappa leaves. Strong aeration. At least 120 liters for an adequate group.
Feeding: Voracious benthic omnivore. Digs through sand for invertebrates. Accepts bloodworms, tubifex, sinking pellets, and spirulina tablets enthusiastically.
Water Quality: THE FATAL PARAMETER. It is SUBTROPICAL. Ideal temperature is 18-23°C, absolute maximum 24°C. Placing it in a 26-28°C tropical tank overloads its heart and reduces lifespan from 10 years to under 2. Soft water (GH 2-12), pH 6.0-7.5, maximum oxygenation.
Compatibility: Only with temperate/subtropical fish: White Clouds, Danios, Hillstream Loaches. Categorically avoid Discus, Rams, or any species needing 25°C+.
Reproduction: Stimulated by temperature drops and massive cold water changes. Classic Corydoras 'T-position' spawning. Large adhesive eggs on glass or leaves. No parental care.
Risks: Beyond lethal heat intolerance, same vulnerabilities as all Callichthyidae: sensitivity to salt and copper. Pectoral spines can fracture when caught in nets, leading to lethal bone infections.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Pacifico verso le altre specie, ma con forte aggressività intraspecifica tra i maschi, cosa unica tra i Corydoras. I maschi adulti difendono piccoli territori.
- Diet
- Onnivoro carnivoro. Vorace predatore bentonico. Necessita di grandi quantità di pastiglie proteiche, chironomus, krill e lombrichi tagliati a pezzi.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Minimum group
- 6
- Adult size
- 10 cm
- Minimum tank
- 150 L
- GH
- 2 dGH - 15 dGH
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Sex ratio
- A causa dell'aggressività territoriale dei maschi, è essenziale mantenere 1 maschio ogni 2-3 femmine se la vasca è inferiore a 150 cm di lunghezza.
- Feeding frequency
- 1-2 volte al giorno in modo molto abbondante. Il tasso metabolico in corrente è altissimo.
- Bioload
- Alto (mangiano e producono molti rifiuti)
- Flow
- Corrente Molto Forte
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Si riproduce in acqua fresca e corrente forte. Il maschio sceglie un sito (spesso il vetro dove batte l'uscita del filtro), e corteggia la femmina aggressivamente.
- Compatibility
- Da abbinare solo a pesci robusti da fiume di acqua temperata: Danio, Bloodfin Tetra (Aphyocharax), o Gymnocorymbus (Tetra Nero). Evitare specie che necessitano acqua a 26+ °C.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.