Edit Gastrodermus gracilis

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Name

Scientific name

Gastrodermus gracilis

Described by

Authority Nijssen & Isbrücker, Year 1976, Bracketed

Family

Callichthyidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 2 credited

Summary

Gastrodermus gracilis, long known as Corydoras gracilis, is a small armoured catfish from the central Amazon basin in Brazil, known from th…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

40mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–26°C, pH 5–7.5

Hardness

2–12dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Community-safe

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Amazon, Aripuanã, Juma, Juriti, Madeira

Writing

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 o…

Distribution

Native to the central Amazon basin in Brazil, where its known range extends from the rio Juriti in Pará state to the rio Juma, a tributary of the rio Aripuanã …

Habitat

Apparently displays a preference for minor tributaries with dense riparian vegetation including submerged leaves and branches, and acidic, tannin-stained water…

Aquarium size

Minimum base dimensi0ns of 60 ∗ 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 …

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

Corydoras spp. are foraging omnivores, and most will accept most sinking dried foods as well as small live and frozen varieties such as chironomid larvae (bloo…

Behaviour and compatibility

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 ful…

Notes

Gastrodermus gracilis is sometimes referred to as 'shy cory' in the aquarium hobby. It can be distinguished from the majority of other Corydoras species by its…

Gastrodermus gracilis is sometimes referred to as 'shy cory' in the aquarium hobby.

It can be distinguished from the majority of other Corydoras species by its distinctive colour pattern, comprising a uniform, lightish base pigmentation with a dark arched stripe extending over the upper portion of each flank, from the tip of the snout to the caudal-fin base. This is shared with a few congeners, however, including Brochis arcuata, C. narcissus, and Hoplisoma urucu.

Among these, G. gracilis is immediately distinguished since it is the only species in which the arched stripe terminates at the base of the upper caudal-fin rays; it extends onto the lower portion of the caudal peduncle and lower caudal-fin lobe in the other species. H. urucu can be identified in a similar way since the arched stripe uniquely does not pass through the eye, instead terminating posterior to the orbit. In addition, B. arcuata and C. narcissus grow larger and exhibit a paler base body colouration than G. gracilis.

Some authors have placed G. gracilis in the putative ‘C. elegans group’, which contains a number of species exhibiting similarities in morphology and colour pattern, some of which remain unidentified in scientific terms. The group currently includes G. elegans, G. bilineatus, G. gracilis, G. nanus, G. napoensis, G. nijsseni, and G. undulatus, plus fishes of uncertain taxonomic status which have been assigned the ‘C’ numbers C041, C088, C089, C123, C126, and C132, plus the ‘CW’ numbers CW008, CW018, CW019, CW022, CW029, CW033, CW044, CW048, CW056, CW064, and CW085, respectively.

The genus Corydoras 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.

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References

5 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References