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Maximum size : 5 cm
Horsemans Corydoras - Corydoras Eques : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
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Introduction
The Eques Corydoras, Corydoras Eques is a small, peaceful freshwater Catfish that has become quite popular in the aquarium hobby and is a personal favourite in our fish room. These Corys are easy to care for and are extremely hardy, but we have noticed they can be somewhat shy. Nevertheless, these Corys are incredibly eye-catching and are a wonderful addition to any community aquarium. Eques Corys are shoaling species in nature, so it is best to maintain them in a group of at least six individuals; we keep a group of 10, and they appear to be much more confident, and their behaviours and personalities are fascinating to watch. Ideal tankmates for Eques Corys could include smaller species such as Rasboras, small Barbs, Pencilfish, Dwarf Cichlids, Rainbowfish and Tetras. It is also possible to keep them with other Corydoras species; we have ours alongside Yellow-fin Corys and Bandit Corys. However, it would be better if you didn't keep them with larger, more boisterous or aggressive species, as there is a risk of them being intimidated and outcompeted. An aquarium setup designed to mimic their natural habitat would be ideal; this can include a substrate of sand or small-sized smooth gravel, plenty of driftwood, low-light ground plants like Anubias or Java Ferns, as well as taller plants with larger leaves like Amazon Sword. The plants will help dim the aquarium from the bright light and complete the look. The Eques Corydoras will also do well in a well-planted aquarium; however, you must keep the water clean as these Corys are sensitive to deteriorating water conditions and high nitrates. The colour of the Eques Corydoras can vary depending on what substrate you keep them on. Typically these Corys have a large dark greenish-brown saddle-shaped body marking located on either side of their body and a whitish belly; however, on some, this saddle shape marking may appear a lighter bluish-turquoise colour. In addition, these Corys also have an orange vertical band just behind their eye across their gill plate, as well as some orange colouration on top of their back and at the edges of their caudal fin. They may also occasionally display a dark band extending down from the top of their heads to the base of their caudal fins.Horsemans Corydoras Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
It can be somewhat challenging to differentiate between the male and female Eques Corydoras, especially when they are juveniles. However, females are usually slightly bigger, rounder and broader-bodied than males when full of eggs.Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Corydoras Eques |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1876 |
| Other Names | CW043, Horseman's Cory |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Siluriformes |
| Family | Callichthyidae |
| Genus | Corydoras |
| Origins | Brazil |
| Max Size | 5 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | Yes |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | up to 5 years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| PH | 6.0 - 8.0 |
| GH | 2 - 15 |
| KH | |
| TDS | 36 - 268 |
| ℉ | 72 - 79 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 22.2 - 26.1 |
Natural habitat
Horseman's Corydoras originates from the Amazon River. It lives near the Rio Solimes main channel, midway between Manaus and Tefé in western Brazil. It is found in small streams and tributaries with soft sand substrates, submerged wood, dense vegetation, and open swimming areas.How to breed the Horsemans Corydoras
To successfully breed Eques Corydoras, having a separate tank with two or more males per female would be best. When the females are noticeably full of eggs, you should perform a significant 50 to 70 per cent water change with cooler water and increase the oxygenation and flow in the tank. It would help if you then repeated this daily until the fish spawned. These Corys will deposit their eggs on the tank glass, amongst fine-leaved plants or within submerged spawning mops. Once spawning is complete, you should remove either the adults or the eggs. If you decide to move the eggs, the raising tank will need the same water parameters as the spawning tank and be similarly well-oxygenated. Some breeders will add a few drops of methylene blue or place alder cones into the raising tank to stop the eggs from developing fungus. The incubation period is usually 2 to 4 days, and once the fry has consumed their yolk sacs, you can provide them with small live foods like microworm and baby brine shrimp. Corydoras fry can be quite challenging to raise, requiring excellent water quality. Still, they seem less susceptible to diseases when maintained over a thin layer of sand instead of a bare tank. You should offer the fry finely powdered first foods, then a few days later; they will be able to take microworms and newly hatched brine shrimp.Diet & feeding
The Eques Corydoras is easy to feed in an aquarium environment. However, please provide them with a varied diet to ensure the fish stay in tip-top condition. These Corys will readily accept good-quality dried foods such as sinking catfish pellets, wafers and granules, as well as frozen, live and freeze-dried foods such as white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, white worms, brine shrimp, Daphnia, and tubifex. These Corys will also appreciate the occasional green vegetable treat like zucchini, blanched peas and broccoli.Videos
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