All fish / Callichthyidae

Saddle Corydoras

Scleromystax prionotos

Also known as corydoras prionotos, prionotos cory, cw005, c 90, コリドラス・プリオノトス, 鞍斑鼠鱼

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This is a stocky Brazilian armoured catfish with a pale brownish body covered in dark spots, and it usually has a darker saddle under the dorsal fin. Mature males grow noticeable bristles (odontodes) on the cheeks, and people keep it as a lively, unusual cory for cooler, well-oxygenated tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

18 to 24 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.2

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, wafers, bloodworm, daphnia and other small live or frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal rivers of southeastern Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo states)

Breeding

It lays eggs and breeds much like Corydoras, with females sticking the eggs to glass or plants once a cool water change prompts spawning. It has been bred in captivity, but it is less reliable than the common cory species.

Good to know

This is a subtropical species, so it does poorly kept warm for long periods, and it needs soft sand to protect its barbels. It is often mixed up with Scleromystax barbatus and S. macropterus, which look similar.