Profile Photo

Maximum size : 3 cm

Polystictus Corydoras - Corydoras polystictus : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide

Table of contents

Introduction

Polystictus Corydoras are relatively easy to breed and produce similarly to other Corydoras species. It would be best to set up a separate breeding tank with either a bare bottom or a sand or fine gravel substrate. You should also add an air-powered sponge filter and some clumps of java moss. The ideal temperature for breeding would be around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pH should be approximately 6.5. Using RO water and filtering the water through peat is also helpful. It would also help if you had a higher ratio of males to females when breeding Corys, and two males for every female is ideal. It would be better to condition the group on a mixed diet of dried, live and frozen foods, as this will help to encourage spawning. Once you can see the females are full of eggs, you should perform a significant water change with cooler water and increase the flow and oxygenation in the tank, then repeat this daily until the fish spawn. When the fish are ready to spawn, you may notice increased activity; this will be the males pursuing the females. When the females are prepared, they will allow the male to touch her with their barbels, where they will then take up the classic T-position. The female will then form a basket with her pelvic fins where she will place 1 to 4 eggs. Once the eggs are fertilised, she will swim away and find a suitable place to deposit the eggs, usually on the tank's glass near water with a fast current. This cycle is then repeated until she has no more eggs. Once spawning is complete, you should remove either the adults or the eggs; otherwise, they will be consumed. If you decide to move the eggs, they are pretty strong and can be easily rolled up the glass with a finger. The new tank should be oxygenated and have the same water parameters as the breeding tank. Adding a few drops of methylene blue to the water would be better to prevent the eggs from getting fungus; however, some eggs may still have fungus, so you must remove them immediately to prevent it from spreading. The eggs will usually hatch between 3 and 5 days later, and the fry will initially feed on their yolk sacs. Once they have finished their yolk sacs, you must provide them with microworms and baby brine shrimp. The babies appear less susceptible to disease if you keep them in a tank with a thin layer of sand rather than a bare bottom.

Polystictus Corydoras Photos

Sexual Dimorphism

The difference between the male and female Polystictus Corydoras is quite apparent when appropriately conditioned. Females are generally bigger and will look wider than males when viewed from above, as they have a larger underbelly. In contrast, the males are shorter and usually slimmer than the females.

Quick Facts

Scientific NameCorydoras polystictus
Year Described1912
Other Names
ClassificationActinopterygii
OrderSiluriformes
FamilyCallichthyidae
GenusCorydoras
OriginsBrazil Paraguay Argentina
Max Size3 cm
TemperamentPeaceful
Aquarium LevelBottom
DifficultyBeginner - Intermediate
ShoalingYes
Best kept asGroups 6+
DietOmnivore
ReproductionEgg-Layer
Lifespan5 - 8 years

Water Parameters

Water TypeFreshwater
PH6.0 - 8.0
GH5 - 25
KH
TDS
Temperature
72 - 83
22 - 28

Natural habitat

Polystictus Corydoras are endemic to the Paraguay River Basin in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina in South America. These Corys inhabit slow-moving and shallow waters, such as streams and small rivers. They are typically found in areas with a soft substrate, such as sand or mud, and prefer areas with dense vegetation, rocks, and fallen trees.

How to breed the Polystictus Corydoras

Polystictus Corydoras are relatively easy to breed and produce similarly to other Corydoras species. It would be best to set up a separate breeding tank with either a bare bottom or a sand or fine gravel substrate. You should also add an air-powered sponge filter and some clumps of java moss. The ideal temperature for breeding would be around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pH should be approximately 6.5. Using RO water and filtering the water through peat is also helpful. It would also help if you had a higher ratio of males to females when breeding Corys, and two males for every female is ideal. It would be better to condition the group on a mixed diet of dried, live and frozen foods, as this will help to encourage spawning. Once you can see the females are full of eggs, you should perform a significant water change with cooler water and increase the flow and oxygenation in the tank, then repeat this daily until the fish spawn. When the fish are ready to spawn, you may notice increased activity; this will be the males pursuing the females. When the females are prepared, they will allow the male to touch her with their barbels, where they will then take up the classic T-position. The female will then form a basket with her pelvic fins where she will place 1 to 4 eggs. Once the eggs are fertilised, she will swim away and find a suitable place to deposit the eggs, usually on the tank's glass near water with a fast current. This cycle is then repeated until she has no more eggs. Once spawning is complete, you should remove either the adults or the eggs; otherwise, they will be consumed. If you decide to move the eggs, they are pretty strong and can be easily rolled up the glass with a finger. The new tank should be oxygenated and have the same water parameters as the breeding tank. Adding a few drops of methylene blue to the water would be better to prevent the eggs from getting fungus; however, some eggs may still have fungus, so you must remove them immediately to prevent it from spreading. The eggs will usually hatch between 3 and 5 days later, and the fry will initially feed on their yolk sacs. Once they have finished their yolk sacs, you must provide them with microworms and baby brine shrimp. The babies appear less susceptible to disease if you keep them in a tank with a thin layer of sand rather than a bare bottom.

Diet & feeding

In the home aquarium, Pantanalensis Corydoras will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements. Additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as mini bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide other benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish. This fish is an omnivore in the wild, consuming some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods consider this and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.

Other Corydoras you maybe interested in