Corydoras haraldschultzi KNAACK, 1962

Mosaic Cory

Etymology

Corydoras: from the Ancient Greek κόρυς (korus), meaning ‘helmet’, and δορά (dora), meaning ‘skin, hide of an animal’, in allusion to the rows of bony plates on the flanks of genus members.

haraldschultzi: named in honour of German ethnologist, fish collector and trader Harald Schultz (1909-1966), who led expeditions for the University of São Paulo.

Classification

Order: Siluriformes Family: Callichthyidae

Distribution

Endemic to the rio Guaporé, a tributary system within the upper rio Madeira basin in northeastern Bolivia (where it is known as the Río Iténez) and western Brazil. The Madeira itself is a major affluent of the middle Amazon basin.

The original type locality is ‘Rio Guaporé, Brazil’, supposedly in the vicinity of Pontes e Lacerda in Mato Grosso state. However, this was modified by Nijssen and Isbrücker (1980) to ‘Brazil-Goias, Rio Tocantins, road between Pedro-Afonso (08°59’S 48°12’W) and Itacajá (08°18’S 47°45’W)’. This is confusing since the distance between these two localities is well over 1000 km, although it appears that the former is correct as per our image of specimens with locality details.

Habitat

The Guaporé is an acidic, tannin-stained river with warm, clear water.

Maximum Standard Length

75 – 85 mm.

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

Minimum base dimensi0ns of 120 ∗ 30 cm are recommended.

Maintenance

Ideally use a substrate of fine sand, although rounded gravel is an acceptable alternative provided that it is kept scrupulously clean.

Other décor is largely down to personal choice, but some cover should be provided to give the fish security.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C

pH: 5.5 – 7.5

Hardness: 36 – 179 ppm

Diet

Corydoras spp. are foraging omnivores, and most will accept sinking dried foods as well as small live and frozen varieties such as chironomid larvae (bloodworm), Tubifex, etc. Feeding a varied diet will ensure the fish are in optimum condition.

Under no circumstances should they be expected to survive on ‘left-overs’ from other inhabitants of the aquarium or relied on to ‘clean’ the aquarium.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Peaceful and gregarious. Should be maintained in a group of at least 4-6 individuals.

Sexual Dimorphism

Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably broader and deeper-bodied than males.

Reproduction

Can be bred in a similar fashion to many other Corydoras species.

Use a ratio of two or more males per female if possible, and when the females are visibly full of eggs perform a large (50-70%) water change with cooler water, and increase oxygenation and flow in the tank. Repeat this daily until the fish spawn.

Eggs may be deposited on the aquarium glass, among fine-leaved vegetation or within sunken spawning mops, with the latter particularly recommended since they facilitate easy removal of eggs.

Once spawning is complete either adults or eggs should be removed; the latter can usually be rolled gently up the glass with a finger. The new container should contain the same water as the spawning tank and be similarly well-oxygenated.

Most breeders add a few drops of methylene blue, or an alder cone or two at this point in order to prevent the eggs developing fungus.

Incubation is normally 3-4 days and once the fry have fully-absorbed their yolk sacs they are able to accept small live foods such as microworm, Artemia nauplii, etc.

They require excellent water quality, but seem less susceptible to ailments when maintained over a thin layer of sand rather than in a bare arrangement.

NotesTop ↑

This species is superficially similar to the congener C. sterbai, but can easily be distinguished its more extended snout and larger adult size. In addition, the colour pattern of the head and predorsal area C. haraldschultzi is comprised of dark vermiculations and spots on a light background, versus light markings on a dark background in C. sterbai.

The genus Corydoras is among the largest catfish groups and currently contains over 150 valid species. It is included in the family Callichthyidae, of which members are often referred to collectively as ‘armoured’ or ‘mailed’ catfishes group due to the presence of bony plates in place of scales on the body.

Their taxonomy can be confusing, and numerous undescribed species are also thought to exist. Fish of unconfirmed identification entering the aquarium hobby are therefore typically assigned a ‘C’ or ‘CW’ number for purposes of reference and organisation.

They are facultative air breathers and possess a modified, highly vascularised intestine which has evolved to facilitate uptake of atmospheric oxygen and aid survival in oxygen-deprived environments. In the aquarium you’ll occasionally see them rising to the surface to take in gulps of air.

The stiffened pectoral-fin spines are capable of piercing human skin and a ‘sting’ can be very painful indeed, so care should be exercised when handling them. It is thought that secretions from the axillary glands at the base of each spine may even be mildly toxic or venomous.

References

1. Knaack, J., 1962 - Senckenbergiana Biologica 43(2): 129-135
   Zwei neue Panzerwelse, Corydoras haraldschultzi und Corydoras sterbai (Pisces, Teleostei, Calichthyidae).
2. Reis, R. E., S. O. Kullander and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds), 2003 - EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre: i-xi + 1-729
   Check list of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. CLOFFSCA.
3. Ferraris, C. J., Jr., 2007 - Zootaxa 1418: 1-628
   Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types.
4. Fuller, I. A. M., and H-G. Evers, 2005 - Verlag A. C. S. GmbH: 1-384
   Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish.
5. Nijssen, H. and I. J. H. Isbrücker, 1980 - Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde 50(1): 190-220
   A review of the genus Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Pisces, Siluriformes, Callichthyidae).