Tips on keeping C.fowleri.

[BillD]

I recently acquired 6 wild caught C. fowleri. If anyone has any info/experience to share, I would appreciate it. The fish were in the store for several weeks without any appreciable losses, and seem to have at least adjusted to our local water, which is medium hard (from Lake Ontario). I am keeeping them at 76-77F, although I am considering lowering it a bit. Any opinions on that would be appreciated. Have they been bred by hobbyists? I would really hate to lose them, as they were what I consider pricey. Thanks.

[MatsP]

Did you have a look at the Cat-eLog page;

Corydoras fowleri

--
Mats

[BillD]

Yes I did look on the Cat-e-log, the first time they came into the store a few months back. They seem to have problems with correct names for their stock, especially the wild caught. I also googled and there seems to be minor discrepencies with regard to temps. I guess I'm looking for personal observations from people who are keeping them. Thanks for the reply.

[MatsP]

The Cat-eLog is in general based on personal information from people who are keeping the fish.

The other problem with "information from people who are keeping this fish" is that you will probably get 12 different answers from 10 people (the two extra is that those two people who say one thing on Monday, and a different thing on Thursday when they've forgotten what they are said on Monday).

And yes, most shops have problems with correct names of fishes - wild caught especially.

Given information that I have from Hans-Georg Evers, is that in the Peru Region of the Amazon, the water temperature is pretty much constant throughout the year, and around 24'C is a common temperature.

As far as I can tell, they haven't been bred in captivity. I'd expect that they are like other corys when it comes to breeding, but the fact that it's a quite rare fish makes it less likely to have a breeding report (of course, they may not be the easiest fish to breed either).

--
Mats

[Richard B]

As far as I can tell, they haven't been bred in captivity. --
Mats

Apart from possible incorrect ID? there were t/b specimens in aqualife when we visited Mats.

[mummymonkey]

There's a spawning log on Ian's site but the eggs didn't hatch.

[MatsP]

Apart from possible incorrect ID? there were t/b specimens in aqualife when we visited Mats.

Ok, if you say so. I saw SO many fish in those three days that I don't remember all of them...

--
Mats

[BillD]

Thanks again for the replies. I will have had them for about 2 weeks, and they seem to be doing okay. They are eating the small pellets I have given them, and do enjoy white worms. As far as rarity goes, the Big Al's has gotten 3 shipments of them. Most of the first 2 died in the store, but these were still there after a month, so I figured it might be worth a shot. I wouldn't normally spend the amount they were asking for them, but they took a bunch of my angels which gave me more credit than they cost, plus they dropped the price because I took 6. They are interesting looking fish, but not very active.

[Richard B]

Apart from possible incorrect ID? there were t/b specimens in aqualife when we visited Mats.

Ok, if you say so. I saw SO many fish in those three days that I don't remember all of them...

--
Mats

They were labelled Fowleri (but someone, it was Kim M i think, suggested they might be something else? )

[Coryman]

The main problem with correctly identifying this particular species is that it is often mislabeled or given new trade name by exporters in an attempt to gain extra sales. It is also confused with other species, Corydoras coriatae Burgess, 1997 and juvenile Corydoras semiaquilus Weitzman, 1964, so to be certain of having Corydoras fowleri is a problem in itself.

Like many of the saddle snouted species they are territorial and when females are ready to breed there is a lot of aggression between males, even to the point where they can and do kill each other. I have even observed females fighting.

My advise with this group is to keep them in pairs or groups of pairs in fairly large aquaria, this will allow the males to set up territories.

Ian

[Richard B]

As usual, excellent, expert advice from Ian

[Callichthyidae]

The main problem with correctly identifying this particular species is that it is often mislabeled or given new trade name by exporters in an attempt to gain extra sales. It is also confused with other species, Corydoras coriatae Burgess, 1997 and juvenile Corydoras semiaquilus Weitzman, 1964, so to be certain of having Corydoras fowleri is a problem in itself.

Like many of the saddle snouted species they are territorial and when females are ready to breed there is a lot of aggression between males, even to the point where they can and do kill each other. I have even observed females fighting.

My advise with this group is to keep them in pairs or groups of pairs in fairly large aquaria, this will allow the males to set up territories.

Ian

WOW !!! Mr. Ian. I don't really know that Corydoras can be very aggressive and can kill each other when they really want to breed. I always think that they are EXTREMELY peaceful even though when they are in breeding condition. I HAVE TO remember this information. This is really my new information Thank you.

Bunthid or Max

[sojapat]

Watch their weight gain or lack of for internal parasites ,They carry a lot of luggage as do most snouted corys.
The weight is dificult to maintain without tubifex worms.