Aspidoras pauciradiatus

Aspidoras: from the Ancient Greek ἀσπίς (aspis), meaning 'shield', and δορά (dora), meaning 'skin, hide of an animal', in allusion to the rows of bony plates on the flanks of genus members.

pauciradiatus: from the Latin paucus, meaning 'few, little', and radiatus, meaning 'rayed'.

Type locality is 'Rio Araquaia near Aruana, 14°58'S, 51°04'W, Goias State, Brazil', and this species appears restricted to the upper Araguaia basin.

An aquarium with minimum base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm24 ∗ 12 in or more is recommended.

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

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

This species requires stable, clean water conditions and should never be added to a biologically immature set-up.

Aspidoras spp. are foraging omnivores and will accept most 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.

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

Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably rounder and broader-bodied than males, especially when gravid.

Spawning occurs in a similar fashion to Corydoras, and can often be initiated by undertaking a large water change with much cooler water, especially during a drop in barometric pressure.

This species is sometimes referred to as 'false corydoras' or 'sixray corydoras'.

A. pauciradiatus can be distinguished from congeners by possession of 6 soft dorsal-fin rays, as opposed to 7 in other Aspidoras species, plus its distinctive colour pattern.

Aspidoras species are distinguished from the very similar Corydoras spp. mainly by possession of two cranial fontanels, versus a single fontanel in Corydoras.