Salt and pepper catfish
| Salt and pepper catfish | |
|---|---|
 | |
| female Corydoras habrosus | |
| Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Callichthyidae |
| Subfamily: | Corydoradinae |
| Genus: | Corydoras |
| Species: | C. habrosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Corydoras habrosus S. H. Weitzman, 1960 | |
The salt and pepper catfish (Corydoras habrosus) is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the Upper Orinoco River basin in Venezuela and Colombia.
In the wild
The fish will grow in length up to 0.75 inches (2.0 centimeters). It lives in a tropical climate in water with a 6.0 – 7.5 pH, a water hardness of 2 – 25 dGH, and a temperature of about 77°F. The diet consists of worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. This fish is also a bottom dweller. It doesn't stray too far above the bottom of rivers.
In the aquarium
It is a peaceful fish and can be kept in a community aquarium of smaller fish species such as ember tetras. Salt and pepper catfish can be fed most sinking foods but may eat flakes.
Breeding
In captivity, it deposits eggs in plants near the substrate, particularly on the underside of the leaves. Eggs are rarely placed on the top of the leaves. The spawning male protects the female from other males attempting to spawn with her.