Napo Corydoras
Gastrodermus napoensis
A member of the elegant 'Elegans Group'. A micro-Corydoras with a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body. Males flaunt an incredible and intricate lattice of gold, metallic green, and iridescent black. An aerodynamic jewel.
Temperatura da água
22 - 26 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.5
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior e intermediária
Tamanho adulto
5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 60 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
2 - 15 dGH
KH
1 - 7 dKH
TDS
40 - 295 ppm
Condutividade
63 - 461 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Napo River basin in Ecuador and Peru. Inhabits moderate-flowing rivers, often in sediment-laden whitewater, with soft bottoms and fallen logs.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Napo Corydoras (Gastrodermus napoensis). Also belongs (like C. elegans) to the group of Corydoras that like to swim in the water column and not just stay on the bottom.
Social Behavior: Accentuated gregariousness. They form very cohesive groups that hover in mid-water or rest on large leaves at mid-height (e.g. Echinodorus or Anubias).
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Chromatically splendid males: gray with marked black stripes and reticulations, an obvious black spot on the dorsal fin (with a white edge) and intense golden reflections on the snout. Females are drab and stocky.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Minimum 60 cm (24 inches) tank. In addition to the usual obligation of the sand bottom (no sharp gravel), it particularly appreciates a layout rich in broad-leaved plants on which to "land" and rest.
Diet and Feeding: Benthic-pelagic. They often grab food while it falls in mid-water, before it touches the bottom. Pellets, fine sinking flakes and frozen food (brine shrimp, daphnia) are the ideal nourishment.
Water Quality: Require oxygenated and clean waters. Moderately tolerant of GH and pH, they are instead extremely sensitive to high nitrates or organic muddy deposits on the bottom.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent inhabitant for peaceful South American community tanks, will never show aggression towards Dwarf Cichlids, Tetras, Otocinclus or shrimp.
Aquarium Breeding: Extremely fecund. Males engage in frantic chases towards females following massive changes with colder water (by 2-4°C / 4-7°F). Eggs typically laid on the walls of the tank in large quantities.
Risks and Diseases: They are sensitive to medicines containing Copper (used against snails or ectoparasites), which are very often lethal at normal dosages.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Napo River basin in Ecuador and Peru. Inhabits moderate-flowing rivers, often in sediment-laden whitewater, with soft bottoms and fallen logs.
Origem
Extra-Amazônica América do Sul
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- These catfish are incredibly docile, peaceful, and non-aggressive, making Gastrodermus napoensis perfect community tank residents. They are somewhat shy by nature and heavily rely on the presence of a school to feel secure and display their natural behaviors. Providing plenty of hiding spots such as caves, driftwood, and dense vegetation will make them feel more comfortable. They never bother other fish and often completely ignore species occupying the middle and upper levels of the tank.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- Gastrodermus napoensis is an omnivorous bottom feeder that constantly scavenges for food in the substrate. Their diet should be primarily composed of high-quality sinking pellets or wafers specifically formulated for bottom dwellers. To ensure optimal health and coloration, supplement their dry food with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. They will also eat uneaten food that falls from the surface, though they should not be treated merely as a clean-up crew.
- Expectativa de vida
- 5-7 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- School
- While sexing them can be challenging, a ratio of two or three males per female is generally recommended for breeding Gastrodermus napoensis. Females are noticeably rounder and broader, especially when viewed from above, and tend to grow slightly larger. Males appear more slender and streamlined in comparison. Keeping them in a mixed-sex school naturally accommodates these ratios without requiring precise selection by the aquarist.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- These active scavengers should be fed one to two times daily to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. It is important to offer Gastrodermus napoensis only as much food as they can consume within a few minutes to prevent water quality issues. Since they are somewhat nocturnal by nature, feeding them once right before the aquarium lights turn off can be very beneficial. Monitoring their feeding is essential, especially in community tanks where faster mid-water fish might outcompete them for food.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- Gastrodermus napoensis has a relatively small bioload compared to larger aquarium fish. Due to their compact size, they produce a manageable amount of waste that standard filtration can easily process. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload should be considered when stocking. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to keep the substrate clean where they dwell.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- In the wild, Gastrodermus napoensis typically inhabits slow to moderately flowing streams and tributaries. They appreciate some gentle water movement in the aquarium, which helps keep the water well-oxygenated. However, excessive current or strong powerheads should be avoided as it can exhaust them over time. A standard sponge filter or a hang-on-back filter with baffled flow usually provides the ideal water dynamics for this species.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- The jump risk for Gastrodermus napoensis is generally considered to be quite low. They are obligate bottom dwellers that spend the vast majority of their time sifting through the substrate. Occasionally, they will make quick darts to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, which is a completely normal behavior for this genus. Despite the low risk, it is still recommended to keep a well-fitting lid on the aquarium to prevent any accidental escapes during these upward dashes.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Gastrodermus napoensis in captivity is achievable but requires specific conditions to trigger spawning. A common trigger involves performing a large, slightly cooler water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in their natural habitat. Females will lay adhesive eggs on broad-leaved plants, aquarium glass, or other flat surfaces. Once spawning is complete, the adult fish should be removed or the eggs transferred, as they may exhibit egg-eating behavior.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Peaceful
- This species is highly peaceful and makes an excellent addition to community aquariums. Gastrodermus napoensis gets along perfectly with small tetras, rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and peaceful livebearers. It is crucial to avoid housing them with large, aggressive, or predatory fish that could bully them or attempt to eat them. As a schooling fish, they find safety and comfort in numbers of their own kind or similar Corydoras species.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle/Bottom
- As classic bottom dwellers, Gastrodermus napoensis occupies the lowest levels of the aquarium. They spend their days tirelessly exploring the substrate in search of morsels of food using their sensitive barbels. It is absolutely essential to provide a soft, sandy substrate to prevent damage to their delicate sensory barbels. Although they mostly remain at the bottom, they will occasionally dart to the water surface to swallow a bubble of air for intestinal respiration.
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)
- 0.5001
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.01778, b = 3.02
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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