Corydoras similis
Corydoras similis naturally inhabits the Madeira River basin, Brazil. The fish are kept in small tributaries of the river flowing through forested areas.
The body of Corydoras similis is elongated. The dorsal line is slightly curved. The abdomen is flattened. The mouth is lowered downward with tiny antennae. The body coloration is yellowish or grayish-beige. The front of the body is located numerous black spots. The fins are transparent. Like most corydoras, the sex of these fish can be easily determined by looking at them from above. Females are slightly larger than males and their abdomen is more rounded. The maximum length of the fish is 6 cm.
Corydoras similis - peaceful fish, which can easily be kept in a common aquarium with other peaceful fish, preferably not too large. Good neighbors in the aquarium will be small haracinov, carp, dwarf cichlids and other small fish family Callichta catfish. Keep Corydoras similis need a group of at least 6 individuals.
To contain the fish suit the aquarium volume of 50 liters. As a substrate used coarse-grained river sand. At the bottom to arrange a few snags. To make the aquarium conditions even closer to natural, it is desirable to arrange at the bottom a few handfuls of dried leaves of oak or beech, which must be replaced every 3-4 weeks with new ones. Pisces do not make requirements for the presence in the aquarium of aquatic plants, so you can do without them.
Water parameters: temperature 21-27° C, hardness dH 0-12°, pH 5,6-7,0. Requires quality filtration, aeration and weekly replacement of ¼ of the aquarium water with fresh. In the filter element of the water filter, it is desirable to put a few lumps of peat. Keep the substrate clean to prevent various diseases in the fish.
Lighting is dim, the duration of the daylight hours of 9-10 hours a day.
Corydoras similis are omnivores. The fish are fed live and frozen artemia, daphnia, moths. The fish are also given pelleted and tablet food. All feeds must be sinking, as fish take food only from the bottom.
Reproduction
Coridoras similis reach sexual maturity at the age of 1-2 years.
To breed fish are selected spawning aquarium of about 40 liters. You can do without substrate. At the bottom are placed bush javanese moss. The water temperature is about 26° C, acidity 6.5. Need filtration through the peat and aeration of water.
In the spawning aquarium run producers in the ratio of 2 males to 1 female. Pisces begin to abundantly feed a variety of foods. When females noticeably rounded abdomen, make a ½ part of the aquarium water with fresh. Repeat these operations daily until the fish begin to spawn.
Females usually lay eggs on the sides of the aquarium, in places with high water flow. Producers immediately after spawning do not mind eating the eggs, so immediately after the spawning process is over they should be transferred to another aquarium.
The larvae hatch after 3 to 5 days. For the first 3-4 days of their life, the fry feed on nutrients located in their yolk sacs, after which they begin to be fed artemia.
