Sand’s Corydoras - Corydoras davidsandsi

Scientific name: Corydoras davidsandsi

Common name: Sand’s Corydoras

Family: Callichthyidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 5 - 6 cm (1.97 - 2.36 inch)

014

Recommended pH range for the species: 5 - 7

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 18°N (71.43 - 321.43ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 20 - 28 °C (68 - 82.4°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Bottom levels

Origin

Sand’s corydoras originates from South America, namely the river tributaries of Brazil.

Short description

Corydoras have always been a great favourite amongst fish keepers and they do a great job sifting through the substrate of the aquarium. Sand’s corydoras closely resembles the panda corydoras but they do grow slightly larger, adult specimens will reach a body length of just over 2 inches. Their main body colouration is an off white and they display black barring around their head and along the top of their bodies. They are extremely peaceful and do well in a community set up as long as they are housed with other peaceful species. Their body is covered with small bony plates and they have adapted their intestine to allow them to breathe from the atmosphere occasionally, it is quite comical to see them rising to the surface for air and then dropping back the the lower levels of the aquarium.

Lifespan

If cared for correctly the average lifespan for Sand’s corydoras is expected to be between 3-5 years.

General care

These fish are not difficult to keep if good aquarium housekeeping is followed. As they need to be kept in a small group of at least specimens and they require swimming space, the minimum sized aquarium that should be used will need to be at least 3 feet (90 cm) in length. Sand is the preferable substrate as they have delicate barbels which can easily be damaged with other substrates. They can accept a wide temperature range, between 20-28°C (68-82°F) is fine and keep the pH between 5.0-7.0, they do not like alkaline water. Only house these fish with other peaceful species that require the same water parameters.

Always use a filtration system that is rated for the water volume and back this up with regular water changes.

Take care when handling any species of Corydoras as they possess spines on their fins that can puncture the skin and netting these fish can sometimes cause problems when releasing them.

Feeding

All species of Corydoras are classed as omnivores and they will accept all foods offered. For the staple diet offer a quality flake or small pellets but this should be varied with treats of live or frozen foods such as blood worms or brine shrimp. You can feed extra vegetable matter by including blanched peas or zucchini in their diet.

Sexing

Mature females tend to grow larger than mature males and when viewed from above they will develop a rounder body shape.

Breeding

All Corydoras species can be bred in the same manner. It is best to set up a separate breeding tank and use an air driven sponge filter for ease of maintenance and better control of the water flow. Add two males per female and keep the water quality high. The parent fish should be conditioned on live or frozen foods and in a couple of weeks the females should start to swell with eggs. You can add spawning mops but these fish will deposit their eggs everywhere including the aquarium glass. Do a large water change with cooler water to induce spawning and once this has been completed remove the parent fish.

The eggs will take 3-4 days to hatch but do not feed at this stage as the fry will consume their yolk sacs for the initial feeds. Once the fry are free swimming they can be fed on newly hatched brine shrimp or a commercial egg layer feed. Perform daily water changes with a small syphon tube to prevent any fry being removed until they are large enough to be treated like the parents and can accept larger foods.