Corydoras simulatus
Corydoras simulatus (12-25-00) -- My original breeders were found one at a time in various pet shops over the years. In nature, this species is found in shoals along with Corydoras metae and can only be found as a contaminate in shipments with them. While both C. metae & C. simulatus resemble one another in color and markings, their body shapes are different. Corydoras simulatus are larger in size and have a much longer snout. Because of this, when a net is thrown into a shoal, the C. simulatus are quick to cut thru the water and escape capture. At one point I had a group of eight wild adults, but over a few years the number dropped to three, leaving me with a trio, a female and two males, at the time of my first spawn. That was several years ago. At the present time I have a breeding group of about 15 fish, two originals and the rest their offspring, which are now around two years old. Size of males around 4.5 cm, females up to 6 cm. They are maintained in a bare bottomed fifteen-gallon aquarium which has the underside painted black for their comfort. Several clumps of Java Fern and Anubias plants along with a sunken yarn mop are added as hiding places. A sponge filter is in the tank but the aquarium itself is one of seven similar aquariums that are filtered thru a central filtering system (system “B”). The return water from the central filter creates a moderate water flow. The fish have been spawning regularly in this set up. Many times a day or two after a 60% water change to the system. The pH is low; a TDS meter reads 203. Temperature of 74F. The eggs are laid during the night. They are small, just over 1 ms were all laid on the sides of the aquarium. Spawn size is normally between 60 – 80 eggs with a good hatch rate; above 80%. Baby brine shrimp and microworms are the first foods. The fry grow quicker then most other Corydoras.
