Boeseman's Catfish (Corydoras boesemani)
| Boeseman's Catfish Corydoras boesemani | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Boeseman's Catfish |
| Name Lat. | Corydoras boesemani |
| Family | Armoured Catfishes |
| Family lat. | Callichthyidae |
| Order | Catfishes |
| Order lat. | Siluriformes |
| Origin | Suriname |
| Habitat | Tributaries, ponds |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 5.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 4-5 cm |
| Temperature | 21-28 °C |
| Hardness | 1-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 100 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.6"-2" |
| Temperature | 70-82 °F |
| Hardness | 18-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 25 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the Boesemans Cory Catfish is Suriname, where they are found exclusively in the upper watershed of the Rio Suriname. They live in shallow, slow-flowing and stagnant waters with sometimes dense underwater vegetation and sandy-muddy bottoms covered with dead wood, branches and fallen leaves.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have dense planting with shady hiding places (roots, large river pebbles). In order not to injure their barbels (serve for orientation and foraging), a soft, sandy substrate is ideal, which should be covered with some mulm and foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves). Shaded light (floating plants), soft, slightly acidic water and a weak current is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live, frozen and dry food. For a balanced diet, feed once a day with a high-quality sinking dry food for catfish (granules, pellets, chips, tablets) as well as cyclops, daphnia, artemia, mysis, tubifex or mosquito larvae (live or frozen). In addition, occasionally some vegetable food, such as algae leaves or dry food with vegetable components (e.g. spirulina, kelp).
Only feed as much as is eaten within a few minutes. A regular and varied diet promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are peaceful and sociable fish that live in groups. At least 4-6 animals should be kept together. They are well suited for a community tank with other peaceful, not too large fish. Basically, only compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. Females are slightly larger and more plump when viewed from above. Their ventral fins are shorter and rounder than those of the males.
Reproduction and breeding
A breeding group consists of 2-3 males and one female. During mating (T-position), the eggs (1-4) enter a pocket formed by the ventral fins of the female and are glued to substrates (e.g. leaves, stems) after fertilization. Up to 100 eggs are laid by the female in this manner. The larvae hatch after about 3-4 days and swim freely after 2-5 days.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). In a community tank breeding is hardly possible, because the spawn is easy prey.
Important
They have additional intestinal respiration to survive in oxygen-poor waters and sometimes come up to the water surface for air even in the oxygen-rich aquarium.
The foliage (sea almond tree, oak, etc.) enriches the water with humic substances, naturally lowers the pH and is a valuable secondary food source.
When fishing, use the finest mesh nets possible to avoid snagging the hard rays of the pectoral fins, which can cause painful puncture wounds when touched
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); BAENSCH & RIEHL (2004): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 4, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF