Corydoras ephippifer NIJSSEN, 1972

Saddle Cory

Etymology

Corydoras: from the Ancient Greek κόρυς (korus), meaning ‘helmet’, and δορά (dora), meaning ‘skin, hide of an animal’, in allusion to the rows of bony plates on the flanks of genus members.

ephippifer: from the Latin ephippium, meaning ‘saddlecloth’, and Ancient Greek φέρω (féro), meaning ‘bear, carry’, in reference to the distinctive dark, saddle-like marking on the upper body in this species.

Classification

Order: Siluriformes Family: Callichthyidae

Distribution

Native to the state of Amapá, northeastern Brazil, although detailed observations are scarce to non-existent.

Type locality is ‘Cachoera Creek at right bank of Rio Amapari, 4 kilometers downstream of Casa do 7, Amapa State, Brazil’.

Maximum Standard Length

50 – 60 mm.

Maintenance

Ideally use a substrate of fine sand, although rounded gravel is an acceptable alternative provided it’s kept scrupulously clean.

Other décor is largely down to personal choice, but some cover should be provided to give the fish security.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 20 – 25 °C

pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Hardness: 36 – 268 ppm

Diet

Corydoras spp. are foraging omnivores and will accept most sinking dried foods, as well as small live and frozen varieties such as bloodworm, Tubifex, etc.

Feeding a varied diet will ensure the fish are in optimum condition.

Under no circumstances should they be expected to survive on ‘left-overs’ from other inhabitants of the aquarium or relied on to ‘clean’ the aquarium.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

Peaceful and gregarious. Should be maintained in a  group of at least 4-6 individuals.

Sexual Dimorphism

Females tend to grow larger, and sexually mature individuals are noticeably rounder and higher-bodied than males.

NotesTop ↑

This species appears superficially similar to a number of congeners including  C. ambiacus, C. agassizii, C. brevirostris, C. delphax, and C. melanistius. Among these C. ephippifer seems to be unique in that all fins except the dorsal are transparent and lack markings.

Unfortunately, more precise diagnostic characters cannot currently be provided since we’ve been unable to obtain the type description, and little seems to have been written about this species since it was published.

The genus Corydoras is included in the family Callichthyidae, of which members are often referred to collectively as ‘armoured’ or ‘mailed’ catfishes group due to the presence of bony plates in place of scales on the body.

Their taxonomy can be confusing, and numerous undescribed species are also thought to exist.

Fish of unconfirmed identification entering the aquarium hobby are therefore typically assigned a ‘C‘ or ‘CW‘ number for purposes of reference and organisation.

They are facultative air breathers and possess a modified, highly vascularised intestine which has evolved to facilitate uptake of atmospheric oxygen and aid survival in oxygen-deprived environments. In the aquarium you’ll occasionally see them rising to the surface to take in gulps of air.

The stiffened pectoral-fin spines are capable of piercing human skin and a ‘sting’ can be very painful indeed, so care should be exercised when handling them.

It is thought that secretions from the axillary glands at the base of each spine may even be mildly toxic or venomous.

References

1. Nijssen, H. , 1972 - Netherlands Journal of Zoology 21(4): 412-433
   Records of the catfish genus Corydoras from Brazil and French Guiana with descriptions of eight new species (Pisces, Siluriformes, Callichthyidae).
2. Reis, R. E., S. O. Kullander and C. J. Ferraris, Jr. (eds), 2003 - EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre: i-xi + 1-729
   Check list of the freshwater fishes of South and Central America. CLOFFSCA.
3. Ferraris, C. J., Jr., 2007 - Zootaxa 1418: 1-628
   Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes: Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary types.
4. Fuller, I. A. M., and H-G. Evers, 2005 - Verlag A. C. S. GmbH: 1-384
   Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish.