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Sixray corydoras

Aspidoras pauciradiatus

Fishes › Catfish (Siluriformes) › Callichthyidae (Corydoras and armored catfish)

The sixray corydoras (Gastrodermus pauciradiatus) or false corydoras is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the family Callichthyidae.

Aquarium hobby

Experience: Beginner

FamilyCorydoras and armored catfish

Adult lengthup to 1.4 in

WaterFreshwater

Care at a glance

Species-specific aquarium care

Tank: At least 24 in long and 12 in front to back for one adult (adults commonly reach about 1.1 in / 2.9 cm).
Water: Freshwater.
Temperature: 72–77°F (range recorded for this species).
pH: 6–7.2.
Hardness: 0–12 dGH.
Layout: Uses both the bottom and open water: give open swimming space plus cover near the substrate.

Calculated from this species' own FishBase record: tank size from its typical adult length and swimming zone, water values from its recorded ranges. The group guide below fills in general care.

Care guide

Species care notes

Tank: a base of at least 24 × 12 in (roughly 14 US gallons); space needed is rated “modest tank”.
Water: soft, acidic water, 68–81 °F, pH 6–7, 2–12 dGH.
Behaviour: temperament peaceful; a shoaling fish best kept in a group of six or more; suited to a community tank.
Difficulty: Moderate (Seriously Fish rating).

Short excerpts from the species profile:

Setup: “Ideally use a substrate of fine sand, although rounded gravel is an acceptable alternative provided it's kept scrupulously clean.”
Breeding: “Spawning occurs in a similar fashion to Corydoras, and can often be initiated by undertaking a large water change with much cooler water, especially during a drop in barometric pressure.”

From the Seriously Fish profile for this species, which has the full habitat, maintenance, diet, behaviour and breeding write-up 167

Group care guide

Corydoras and armored catfish

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Shallow South American streams. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

Housing & setup

Soft sand substrate, groups of six or more, and clean water.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Diet

Sinking pellets, wafers and frozen bloodworms.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Social life

Keep in groups.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Health watch

Barbel erosion on dirty or rough substrate.

Sources 117 119 164 118

Understanding the animal

About this animal

It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Araguaia River basin in Brazil. The fish will grow in length up to 2.9 centimetres (1.1 in).

Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Sixray corydoras” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174

In the wild

From this species’ own FishBase record (habitat, bottom type, water and breeding data), not its family. Good care copies these conditions.¹

Where it lives	Lives in freshwater. Uses both the bottom and open water.
Water it lives in	Freshwater, 72–77 °F (22–25 °C), pH 6–7.2, hardness 12 dH.
Climate	Tropical climate.

What this means for care

Keep water within its wild range, 72–77 °F.

FishBase species summary: Aspidoras pauciradiatus

Native climate (measured)

Warm-season highs	about 90°F (up to 92°F in the hottest sampled areas)
Cool-season lows	about 56°F (down to 53°F in the coldest sampled areas)
Average temperature	74–80°F across sampled records
Relative humidity	71–74% on average (driest month about 54%)
Rainfall	about 1575 mm a year, with strong wet and dry seasons

Measured at 13 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.

From the sources

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

Overview	The sixray corydoras (Gastrodermus pauciradiatus) or false corydoras is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the family Callichthyidae. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Araguaia River basin in Brazil. The fish will grow in length up to 2.9 cm. It lives in a tropical climate in water with a pH of 6.0 – 7.2, a water hardness of 12 dGH, and a temperature range of 22–25 C. It feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Where it lives	Home ranges Population dynamics Growth parameters Max. ages / sizes Length-weight rel. Length-frequencies Mass conversion Recruitment Abundance Life cycle Reproduction Maturity Maturity/Gills rel. — FishBase
Biology	Facultative air-breathing; Forms schools. — FishBase

Data and studies

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Adult length

Average of sources1.2in

FishBase 1641.1

Seriously Fish species profiles 1671.4

Maximum recorded length. Measured as standard length (snout to the base of the tail, not counting the tail fin). Fish in home aquariums often stay smaller than wild records.

Water temperature

Average of sources70–79°F

FishBase 16472–77

Seriously Fish species profiles 16768–81

Range the species tolerates in nature; aim for the middle.

pH

Average of sources6–7.1

FishBase 1646–7.2

Seriously Fish species profiles 1676–7

Water hardness

Reported2–12dGH

Seriously Fish species profiles 1672–12

Minimum tank footprint

Reported24in

Seriously Fish species profiles 16724

Seriously Fish recommends a tank base of at least 24 × 12 in (about 14 US gallons).

Sources for this sheet

FishBase (Froese & Pauly, eds.), version 24.07 Peer-reviewed researchThe global scientific database on fishes, maintained by a consortium of research institutions; every value is referenced.
Seriously Fish species profiles Experienced keeper or breederLong-running aquarium reference written and peer-checked by experienced fishkeepers and ichthyologists; each profile covers habitat, tank size, water, diet, behaviour and breeding.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of aquarium fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Types and features of aquatic systems Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional diseases of fish Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.