Corydoras
simulatus by
Eric Bodrock
 Corydoras
simulatus (12-25-00)
-- My original breeders were found one at a time in various pet
shops over the years. In nature, this species is found in shoals along
with Corydoras matae and can only be found as a contaminate in shipments
with them. While both C. matae & C. simulatus resemble one another
in color and markings, their body shapes are different. Corydoras
simulatus are larger in size and have a much longer snout.
Because of this, when a net is thrown into a shoal, the C.
simulatus are quick to cut thru the water and escape capture. At one
point I had a group of eight wild adults, but over a few years the
number dropped to three, leaving me with a trio, a female and two males,
at the time of my first spawn. That was several years ago. At the
present time I have a breeding group of about 15 fish, two originals and
the rest their offspring, which are now around two years old. Size of
males around 4.5 cm, females up to 6 cm. They are maintained in a bare
bottomed fifteen-gallon aquarium which has the underside painted black
for their comfort. Several clumps of Java Fern and Anubias plants along
with a sunken yarn mop are added as hiding places. A sponge filter is in
the tank but the aquarium itself is one of seven similar aquariums that
are filtered thru a central filtering system (system “B”). The
return water from the central filter creates a moderate water flow. The
fish have been spawning regularly in this set up. Many times a day or
two after a 60% water change to the system. The pH is low; a TDS meter
reads 203. Temperature of 74F. The eggs are laid during the night. They
are small, just over 1 mm in size and are laid mostly in the mop with a
few on plant leaves, under the mop or on the glass. This differs from
the original spawns with all wild parents. Their eggs were larger; a
good 2 mm in size and their eggs were all laid on the sides of the
aquarium. Spawn size is normally between 60 – 80 eggs with a good
hatch rate; above 80%. Baby brine shrimp and microworms are the first
foods. The fry grow quicker then most other Corydoras.
|
