Heiko Bleher visits Colombia, where he comes across some corys with aquarium potential.
Corydoras cf. loxozonus
Origin: I found this catfish east of Puerto Carreño in a small Río Meta tributary, Colombia.
Water: pH 6.12, conductivity 24 µSiemens/cm, temperature 27.2°C/81°F (at 8.30am).
Habitat: A slow flowing forest stream creek hardly 1m/3.3’ deep with some driftwood over white sandy ground. The water was clear and had no aquatic vegetation.
Notes: C. loxozonus, which has a distinct colour pattern, was described from the Meta, Lomalinda near Río Ariari, a tributary to Río Guaviare, south-east of Villavicencio, Colombia, which is far distant from this location. This fish is a short Corydoras, has more of a golden colour in the head and dorsal region, fewer black spots and only one black stripe running different from the described species.
Aquarium: This should have fine white sand and the fish should be kept in groups of at least four. It should have some areas of slow water flow and driftwood is important. As for plants go for Eleocharis and larger Echinodorus species.
I suggest dwarf Apistogramma, Nannostomus, Carnegiella and Hyphessobrycon species as the most appropriate tank mates.
The water parameters can be up to neutral, pH 7.0, conductivity to 150 µS/cm and temperature to 29°C/84.2°F.
Corydoras sp. 1 ‘Putumayo’
Origin: A tributary of the Río Putumayo near to Puerto Legizamo in Colombia.
Water: pH 6.09, conductivity 32 µSiemens/cm, temperature 28.1°C/82.6°F (at 11:30 hours).
Habitat: Sandy bay that was 50cm/20” deep, accommodating large groups. The water was clear, slightly turbid and hardly flowing. There was no aquatic vegetation.
Notes: This bears no similarity to any described Corydoras species, unless you want to compare it with C. araguaiaensis from the Araguaia basin about 3.500km/2,175 miles south-west.
Aquarium: It should have fine sand and be kept in groups of at least four with a slow water flow. Driftwood is always good and plants are optional.
For tank mates I suggest Otocinclus, Rineloricaria, possibly dwarf Apistogramma, Nannostomus, Carnegiella and Hyphessobrycon species.
Water parameters can be up to pH 7.5, conductivity to 200 µS/cm and temperature to 29°C/84°F.
Corydoras cf. concolor
Origin: Small Orinoco tributary, south-east of Puerto Carreño, Orinoco basin, Colombia.
Water: pH 6.1, conductivity 22 µSiemens/cm, temperature 27.6°C/81.7°C (at 09:30 hours).
Habitat: Small, slow flowing and shallow forest stream. with leaves and driftwood over sandy ground. The water was clear and there was no aquatic vegetation.
Notes: C. concolor was described from Las Mangas, a tributary of Río Parguaza, western Bolivar State, Venezuela, (6°20’N, 67°10’W) and the type is higher and has a very beautiful colour. This species is more slender and smaller and has a much lighter body colour.
Aquarium: Corydoras aquaria should have fine white or beige sand and the fish should be keep in groups of at least five. The aquarium should have areas of low light and flow should be low. Have some driftwood, but plants are optional.
Have dwarf Crenicichla, Apistogramma and Nannostomus species as tank mates. Also consider Carnegiella and Hyphessobrycon, like H. sweglesi, and Hemigrammus species, such as H. bleheri, in groups.
Parameters can be up to neutral, pH 7.0, conductivity to 100 µS/cm and to 29.5°C/85.1°F.
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