In Brazil's upper Rio Negro, a few tiny catfish bear strikingly similar colour patterns. A few species include Corydoras adolphoi, Corydoras duplicareus, Corydoras serratus, Brachyrhamdia rambarrani, and others. The Corydoras Duplicareus, described by Dr. David Sands in 1995, is one of the most colourful and unusual among them.
The Corydoras Duplicareus is a highly popular aquarium catfish owing to its beautiful striking coloration, docile disposition, and active scavenging tendencies. These catfish thrive best in groups, eating flake, pellet, and vegetable-based diets as they grow to a maximum size of 2 inches. They should be kept in clean water with regular, modest cold-water changes.
This can trigger the breeding cycle and the males will chase plump females continuously. Their optimal habitat is an aquarium with plants and hiding places for protection, as well as a soft sandy substrate to safeguard their barbels while they actively sift for food. For the greatest visual impact, these catfish do well in aquariums with passive mid-dwellers and top dwellers.
Quick Facts About Corydoras Duplicareus
Corydoras Duplicareus Care
This docile species is perfect for a mature soft water aquarium, and should be kept in groups of 6 or more due to its shoaling nature. Unfortunately, it is somewhat vulnerable to barbel infections/erosion, so it's critical that the fish are kept on a soft sand substrate (rather than gravel where waste can build up unseen) in order to protect these sensitive sensory organs.
To maintain these fish in excellent condition, regular maintenance, particularly frequent partial water changes, must be done. Provide plenty of shaded areas between driftwood, rocks, and thickly planted regions.
Corydoras Duplicareus can breathe air via their intestines, so a small gap should be maintained between the water's surface and the cover slides in order for the fish to come up to the surface and obtain air. It may repeat this several times each day.
Corydoras Duplicareus Size
Corydoras Duplicareus grows to a maximum length of 2.6 inches, although most individuals are about 2 inches long. To grow to their full potential, they should be provided with a spacious aquarium and nutritionally rich diet.
Corydoras Duplicareus Diet
Corydoras Duplicareus are omnivores that will consume most sinking dry foods and small live and frozen types such as chironomid larvae (bloodworm), Tubifex, etc.
Feeding a varied diet to the fish will ensure that they are in their best possible form.
Never should they be expected to subsist on ‘left-overs' from other aquarium occupants or to "clean" the tank.
Corydoras Duplicareus Lifespan
The average lifespan of Corydoras Duplicareus is 15 to 25 years, although some individuals have been known to live longer with appropriate care. Since their lifespan is so long, they are often kept as pets by people who have a strong commitment to their fish and are willing to provide them with the best possible care.
Corydoras Duplicareus Appearance
The Corydoras duplicareus is a tiny, average-sized Corydoras that grows to be about 2.6 inches long in total. Both males and females have a light-coloured lower body that gradually becomes black on the upper half. They also have a black stripe over the eyes.
The majority of the fins are colourless. The bright orange/gold mark that starts just behind and above the eye and finishes just in front of the dorsal fin is the most stunning feature. A "V" shape points to the dorsal fin when looking at the fish from above.
This species is frequently mistaken with Corydoras adolfoi. Corydoras adolfoi is more slender and stockier than Corydoras duplicareus, with a more oblique black dorsal band. However, because there is some overlap in colour and markings variability, they should not be relied upon entirely.
The posterior edge of the pectoral fin spine of Corydoras duplicareus has serrations, whereas that of Corydoras adolfoi does not. This, of course, is impossible to perceive in a typical aquarium. The easiest method to tell if your fish have these serrations is to put them into a shallow, preferably white, container and shine a light down from above. You can use a magnifying glass to look for serrations if you have one.
Sexual Dimorphism
Females tend to be larger and more sexually mature individuals are visibly rounder and bulkier than males, especially when pregnant.
Corydoras Duplicareus Behaviour
Corydoras Duplicareus Tank Mates
This species is best kept with other Corydoras, as well as peaceful fish that occupy different regions of the aquarium. They thrive in peaceful communities with:
- Anabantoids
- Cardinal tetras
- Small characins
- Cyprinids
- Dwarf cichlids
- Guppies
- Mollies
- Platys
- Swords
It is critical that each Corydoras duplicareus be kept with one male to one female. The ratio should be kept as close to even as possible. If not, the male will become too stressed and may harass the female.
Corydoras Duplicareus Tank Setup
The base should be made of fine sand, while well-rounded gravel is another option, as long as it is kept clean. The gravel must also be rounded. When searching for food on and in the substrate, these fish can severely harm themselves on sharp stones if they are not rounded.
There must be enough hiding places available for the fish to feel secure. Bogwood and dried leaves are popular, since the former may aid in the formation of useful bacterial colonies.
These tiny organisms may also act as a supplementary food source for future offspring, and the tannins and other chemicals released by slow decomposition of the leaves are beneficial for simulating natural water conditions.
The water in an aquarium should be between 20 and 26 degrees Celsius, and the pH level should be 4.0 to 7.0. Finally, a varied diet is the greatest way to ensure that the fish remain in excellent form.
Corydoras Duplicareus Breeding
This species has been bred in aquariums at home. By performing a huge, somewhat cooler water change on an established colony of mature pairs, you may start them spawning. The pair will adopt the traditional "T" posture, in which the male fertilizes eggs that are stored between the female's pelvic fins.
The eggs will then be placed on plants, décor, or the aquarium's sides and the process is repeated until all eggs are deposited. The female may lay up to 100 eggs in a single clutch. Unfortunately, this fish's eggs are susceptible to fungus, therefore a tiny quantity of methylene blue is added to the breeding tank by some aquarists.
Corydoras Duplicareus Fry
The eggs typically take 3-4 days to hatch. It's preferable to wait half a day or one day after the first one hatches in order for the rest of the eggs to hatch. After hatching, tiny fry should be fed finely powdered first foods. They will be able to accept freshly hatched brine shrimp a few days later.
After they're three to five months old, they're ready to be separated from their siblings and introduced into a display tank/tank of their own. By the time they reach adult size, they'll be actively foraging for food and will appear to be miniature adults. They're adorable, but keep a wary eye on them! Make sure they're eating and enjoying their tank. If not, get them back as soon as possible!
Corydoras Duplicareus Diseases
The Corydoras are very sensitive to water quality and balance, as well as being highly intolerant to salt, pollutants, and medicines. Signs of stress include rapid breathing and lethargy (often just "sitting" on plant leaves, wood or the substrate breathing heavily, and occasionally rolling onto one side). At such indications, a 50% of water change should be performed straight away with a good water conditioner, and the source of the problem should be addressed.
The fish will "faint" and fall over on its side if the water's chemistry or temperature fluctuate suddenly. If you introduce Corydoras to an aquarium that has not been set up, it will be difficult for them to survive. Corydoras are easy going fish that will settle in better if the tank is built; Duplicareus Corydoras do not adapt well to a new aquarium with still-unstable water conditions and changes.
The Corydoras duplicareus is a fish that has an outstanding immune response to many well-known illnesses. Due to this distinction, Corydoras Duplicareus are only rarely ill, whereas pathological processes are readily tolerated and cause no adverse effects.
According to experts, almost every disease begins in just one case - unbalanced nutrition and maintenance practices. If the user does not follow the above recommendations, symptoms such as cloudy eyes, redness around the gills, sticking fins, and inflammatory responses may occur.
FAQ
How Do Corydoras Duplicareus Fertilize Their Eggs?
Males pursue gravid females, with the pair ultimately becoming motionless and perpendicular to one another ( 'T-Position'). The male lies on his side and, surprisingly, the female then uses her mouth to extract sperm from his vent.
According to most ichthyologists, the sperm leaves the female's gills and is directed to a specific cup she creates with her pelvic fins. The female places one to five eggs into this cup after obtaining the sperm.
She goes to a previously cleaned site, usually a plant or the aquarium glass, and individually glues each egg. She repeats the process with the same or another male until she has laid her clutch of 10-25 eggs. This process may last up to 3-6 hours.
Some researchers have said that the sperm travels through the female's digestive system and is released with the eggs, or that the lady expels retained sperm as soon as she lays her eggs.
Corydoras Duplicareus Male or Female, how to tell?
The difference between the male and female Corydoras is usually quite apparent after they are properly conditioned. The mature females are larger and appear plumper when viewed from above, as they have a larger underbelly. Males are also shorter than females in length.
Do Corydoras Duplicareus Eat Algae?
No, Corydoras Duplicareus do not eat algae. Because they occasionally nibble at algae formations, Corydoras Duplicareus catfish are sometimes confused with algae eaters. They are omnivores, so they should be fed high-quality flakes or pellets, frozen or live foods like as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms and fresh vegetables.
How Big Does a Corydoras Duplicareus Get?
Corydoras Duplicareus grow to an average length of 2.6 inches (6.5 cm). However, they have been known to reach lengths of 3.1 inches (7.9 cm) in captivity.
What is the Lifespan of Corydoras Duplicareus?
The lifespan of Corydoras Duplicareus is 15-25 years. Many factors such as water quality, diet, and stress affect lifespan. Corydoras are hardy fish, but they are still susceptible to disease if water quality is poor or they are not well cared for. So if you want your Corydoras Duplicareus to have a long and healthy life, be sure to provide them with the best possible care.
How Many Corydoras Duplicareus Should Be Kept Together?
Corydoras Duplicareus are social fish and should be kept in groups of 6 or more. For a shoal of 3-6 fish, at least 15 gallons tank, with plenty of hiding places and a soft, sandy substrate is recommended. The more fish you add to the shoal, the more space they will need. A 20-gallon tank can comfortably house a group of 6-10 Corydoras Duplicareus.
How Do You Take Care of Corydoras Duplicareus?
Corydoras Duplicareus are relatively easy to care for as long as their basic needs are met. They are hardy fish and can tolerate a wide range of water conditions, but they prefer clean, well-oxygenated water with a neutral pH.
They are social fish and should be kept in groups of 6 or more. Though they can survive alone they may become stressed if kept by themselves. Corydoras Duplicareus are peaceful fish and can be kept with a wide variety of tankmates, as long as they are not too large or aggressive.
To take care of your Corydoras Duplicareus properly, be sure to provide them with a spacious tank with plenty of hiding places and a soft, sandy substrate. They are omnivorous and their diet should consist of high-quality flakes or pellets, frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms, and fresh vegetables.
Regular water changes are essential to maintaining a healthy environment for your fish. Be sure to remove any uneaten food or waste from the tank to prevent the water from becoming polluted. Corydoras Duplicareus are relatively easy to care for as long as their basic needs are met. So, if you provide them with a clean and comfortable environment, they will thrive and bring you years of enjoyment!
Final Thoughts
Corydoras Duplicareus are an interesting and undemanding species of Corydoras that make a great addition to any community aquarium. They are relatively easy to care for, provided their basic needs are met. They are peaceful fish that do well in groups and get along with other peaceful tankmates.
Corydoras Duplicareus are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods, including algae. They are a relatively small species of Corydoras, only reaching about 2 inches in length. Corydoras Duplicareus are Egg Scatterers and do not provide any parental care for their eggs or fry. When spawning, it is best to remove the parents to a different aquarium so they don't eat the eggs. Fry can be difficult to raise, but are not impossible. With proper care and attention, Corydoras Duplicareus can be a rewarding addition to any aquarium.
