Broad Corydoras
Gastrodermus latus
A robust Bolivian species possessing a noticeably broad, deep body highlighted by a metallic gray-blue base. It enthusiastically roots through fine sand for small benthic invertebrates.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.2
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Fond
Taille adulte
5,5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 80 L
Groupe minimal
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
50 - 280 ppm
Conductivité
78 - 438 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Rio Beni in Bolivia, western Amazon basin. Inhabits shallow forest streams and oxbows with very clear but tannin-stained waters (blackwater), characterized by weak water flow and sandy/silty bottoms covered with sunken logs.
Taxonomy and Morphology: From the Latin "latus" (wide). Belongs to the Callichthyidae family. Moderate-sized Corydoras (5.5 cm / 2.2 inches), distinguished by a markedly massive profile, compact body, and extremely tall in the proximal area compared to other species.
Social Behavior: Keeping singles or pairs always results in wasting. Being a peaceful and defenseless animal, it needs to live and forage in a homogeneous school (minimum 6-8), establishing labile hierarchies based simply on precedence over food.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Light livery. Fine and irregular blackish spots cloak the snout and body. A large black "saddle" wraps the base of the dorsal fin, often widening to the back, while an orbital mask crosses the eye. Males significantly less paunchy than reproductive females.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: A zero-sharp-edge substrate is essential, preferably fine cosmetic sand. Set up cavernous dens with half coconuts or branched wood (Mangrove, Red Moor). A good layer of dead leaves guarantees visual security.
Diet and Feeding: Rooting micro-carnivore. Chronic refusal of food may indicate intolerance to dry-only diets (flakes): it demands deep feeding via sinking pellets and frequent integrations of live or pre-soaked freeze-dried bloodworms.
Water Quality: Demands well-matured and stable water environments. Temperature between 22 and 26°C (72-79°F). Soft water (GH 2-12) and a moderately acidic-neutral pH (6.0 - 7.2). The organic degradation of the tank will cause asphyxia and fin clamping in a short time.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Wonderful member for peaceful medium-sized South American tanks. Shares the water column without any hesitation with dwarf Apistogramma, schools of Tetras (Nannostomus, Carnegiella) and peaceful glass cleaners (Otocinclus). Voracious Cichlids would totally inhibit it.
Aquarium Breeding: Very rare in the trade. Driven by generous cold changes with monsoon thermal drops. During the tight "T" courtship, the highly adhesive eggs are distributed on broad leaves or in high-current areas. Marked tendency towards cannibalism.
Risks and Diseases: Lethal danger resulting from granular bottoms: the breaking of the barbels annihilates its sensory capabilities for hunting, condemning it to asthenia. It bears the concentrations of Malachite Green used in Ich treatments badly.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to the Rio Beni in Bolivia, western Amazon basin. Inhabits shallow forest streams and oxbows with very clear but tannin-stained waters (blackwater), characterized by weak water flow and sandy/silty bottoms covered with sunken logs.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmazonie, Orénoque et Guyanes
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- Exhibiting an inherently peaceful and gregarious temperament, *Gastrodermus latus* is completely non-aggressive toward its tank mates. They are highly social creatures that find security in numbers, making them playful and active when kept in a sufficient shoal. A lone individual will often become stressed, reclusive, and susceptible to disease. Their amiable disposition makes them one of the most endearing and universally beloved additions to any freshwater community setup.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are omnivorous bottom feeders that forage for small insects, worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, and granules. It is highly recommended to supplement their diet with regular offerings of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and condition. Care should be taken to ensure that food reaches the bottom before being consumed by mid-water swimming fish.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 5.5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Group
- For general display purposes, the sex ratio is relatively unimportant as long as they are kept in a suitably sized group of at least six individuals. However, for those aiming to breed them, a ratio of two to three males for every single female often yields the best results. The increased number of males encourages competitive courtship and ensures higher fertilization rates during spawning. Identifying the sexes becomes easier as they mature, with females typically appearing significantly broader and rounder than the sleeker males.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- To maintain their energy levels and overall health, *Gastrodermus latus* should be fed small amounts one to two times per day. It is important to only offer what they can completely consume within about three to five minutes to prevent water fouling. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and subsequent health issues, especially considering their bottom-dwelling nature. Observing their feeding behavior during meals can help adjust the portions to meet their specific metabolic needs.
- Charge biologique
- Low
- As a small benthic catfish, *Gastrodermus latus* contributes a relatively low bioload to the aquarium ecosystem. They are efficient scavengers that help break down uneaten food, which slightly mitigates their own waste production. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload of the shoal should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality and prevent the accumulation of nitrates on the substrate.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They naturally inhabit sluggish tributaries, floodplains, and pools with relatively gentle water movement. In the aquarium, they appreciate a moderate flow that provides good oxygenation without creating overwhelming currents. Harsh, direct water flow should be avoided as it can cause exhaustion and stress for these small fish. Providing areas of calmer water behind hardscape or plants allows them comfortable resting spots.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- While not generally known as prolific jumpers, they do possess the ability to leap out of the water if startled or if water conditions deteriorate. Like all Corydoras, they occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, and during this rapid ascent, they might accidentally breach the surface too forcefully. A well-fitting aquarium lid is highly recommended to prevent any tragic accidents. Ensuring optimal water parameters will also minimize any erratic surfacing behavior.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding *Gastrodermus latus* involves simulating the rainy season through large, cooler water changes and feeding highly nutritious live foods. The female will gather eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins while the male fertilizes them. Following fertilization, the female carefully deposits the adhesive eggs onto broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or flat stones. Because the parents may consume their own eggs, it is best to rear the fry in a separate, dedicated breeding tank with meticulous water quality management.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Community
- This species is exceptionally peaceful and makes an excellent addition to a community aquarium. They do not bother other fish and are perfectly safe to keep with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. It is crucial to avoid keeping them with large, aggressive, or predatory species that might view them as food or nip at their delicate barbels. They thrive best when kept alongside other docile species that occupy the middle and upper levels of the water column.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Bottom
- This species is a classic bottom dweller that spends the vast majority of its time resting on or foraging through the substrate. You will frequently observe them sifting through fine sand with their sensitive barbels in search of hidden morsels. Although they mostly remain at the lowest level of the aquarium, they will make periodic, lightning-fast dashes to the water surface to gulp air. Their predominantly benthic nature means they require plenty of uninterrupted swimming space along the tank floor.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3 ± 0,3 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5001
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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