Lacerda's Cory
Scleromystax lacerdai
A beautiful southern Brazilian species decorated with a dark marbled network across its golden back. Adapted to cooler currents, it strictly demands fine sand and shaded shelters.
Temperatura da água
22 - 26 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.2
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 80 L
Grupo mínimo
6 - 8
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
3 - 10 dKH
TDS
60 - 280 ppm
Condutividade
94 - 438 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: South America, endemic to Brazil. Frequents calm and sheltered river bends, as well as small streams covered by dense riparian vegetation. The river bed is constantly covered by decaying leaf debris that dyes the waters with tannin.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Corydoras belonging to the Callichthyidae family. The species sports the classic round snout and well-developed lateral armor. Maximum dimensions in the aquarium are around 5 cm (2 inches).
Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful and moderately shy. It does not conceive of isolation: inserting single specimens or pairs into the aquarium leads the animal to apathy and chronic starvation. A school of 6-8 individuals will work in harmony, frantically patrolling the bottom.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Very dense leopard pattern and minute irregular spots on an ocher/silvery background. Typically presents a dark line that horizontally divides the flanks and a modest black shading in the dorsal area. Dimorphism: females much rounder and more corpulent.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: The only tolerable substrate is fine sand. Set up massive intertwined roots and coconuts to act as shelters, shielding the upper water column through the use of Eichhornia or Pistia to mitigate bright lights.
Diet and Feeding: Benthic omnivore. Feed it specifically and not with mere fallen "crumbs": sinking tabs for Loricariids and Siluriformes are indispensable, accompanied 2-3 times a week by strictly well-rinsed or frozen bloodworms or tubifex.
Water Quality: Demands classic South American conditions: stable temperature between 22 and 26°C (72-79°F), weakly acidic or neutral (pH 6.0 - 7.2) and soft waters (GH 2-12). Efficient slow-release filter combined with mild siphoning to avoid lethal bottom bacterial loads.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Ideal companion in peaceful Amazonian biotopes. Superb pairing with broods of Tetras (Neons, Petitella), mild-mannered Cichlids or shy small Loricariids. Avoid cohabitation with aggressive, territorial fish or large bottom eaters.
Aquarium Breeding: Hardly documented in purity, but replicable via "T-mating" induced by cold water changes and abundant live diet. The few sticky eggs are placed on the glass; strictly remove the breeders when spawning is concluded.
Risks and Diseases: If housed on a rough bottom, it will lose the use of its short barbels, incurring certain fatal wasting. Severe and deadly reaction to anti-ich products based on copper sulfate.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
South America, endemic to Brazil. Frequents calm and sheltered river bends, as well as small streams covered by dense riparian vegetation. The river bed is constantly covered by decaying leaf debris that dyes the waters with tannin.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesExtra-Amazônica América do SulEuropa, Mediterrâneo e Ásia Ocidental
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- Exhibiting an inherently peaceful and gregarious temperament, *Scleromystax lacerdai* 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.
- Dieta
- 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.
- Expectativa de vida
- 5-10 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- 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.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- To maintain their energy levels and overall health, *Scleromystax lacerdai* 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.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- As a small benthic catfish, *Scleromystax lacerdai* 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.
- Fluxo
- 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.
- Risco de salto
- 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.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding *Scleromystax lacerdai* 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.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- 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.
- Nível do tanque
- 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.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3 ± 0,3 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5078
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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