Pretty Catfish - Corydoras aff. pulcher

The Pretty Catfish comes from Brazil, where it can be found in the Rio Purus. The black dots, arranged in rows, and the black marking around the eyes on a silvery to yellowish base color as well as the cream-colored, extended dorsal fin make this rarely available catfish a very pretty fish, which is where its latin name derives from (pulcher = the beautiful/pretty).

Care in the aquarium

Typical for Corydoras, the Pretty Catfish is a schooling fish that feels comfortable with at least 8 members of its own species and grows to about 7 cm in size. In the aquarium, which should hold at least 112 liters, it needs a fine, non-sharp-edged substrate as well as sufficient hiding places in the form of plants and, for example, catfish caves, roots or stones. The Pretty Catfish is fairly easy to keep if these needs are met.

Feeding

The Corydoras aff. pulcher is an omnivore, so it can be fed a variety of sinking live and frozen foods, as well as greens and sinking commercial fish foods.

Sexual Characteristics and Breeding

The males of the Pretty Catfish are recognizable by their slimmer physique and often by an elongated first ray of the dorsal fin. Corydoras aff. pulcher is an egg-laying fish which lays about 40 to 80 eggs on the plants or the hardscape of the aquarium. For targeted breeding, the eggs should be hatched and reared in a separate rearing tank. About 2 - 3 days after hatching, the young fish can be fed with freshly hatched Artemia nauplii or powdered food.