All fish / Callichthyidae

Spotted Aspidoras

Aspidoras fuscoguttatus

Also known as brown-point shield skin, brown point shield skin, spotted pygmy cory, dwarf spotted aspidoras, aspidoras c35, fuscoguttatus cory, spotted shield skin, アスピドラス・フスコグッタートゥス, 斑点盾皮鲶

A small armoured catfish with a pale, silvery body marked with rows of fine brown spots and a darker spot pattern along the back and fins. It looks like a slimmer, smaller Corydoras and is kept by catfish fans for its busy, sociable bottom-dwelling behaviour in planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

54 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets and wafers, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: upper Paraná and Paraguay river basins (Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo)

Breeding

It is an egg scatterer that sticks small batches of eggs on glass, plants or decor, much like Corydoras, after the typical T-position mating. Spawning in captivity is fairly achievable with a well-conditioned group and cool water changes, and the fry can be raised on microworms and baby brine shrimp.

Good to know

It is shy and does best in groups over fine sand with calm, peaceful tankmates; avoid sharp gravel, which damages its barbels. It is easily confused with similar small spotted Aspidoras and Corydoras species, so trade labelling is often unreliable.