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Aspidoras rochai Ihering, 1907

Image contributors to this species:

Ingo Seidel (1) R. von Ihering, 1907 (1) Allan James (1) Hans-Georg Evers (1)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

The Aspidoras genera differ from Corydoras by their different behaviour such as their swimming habits. The eyes are smaller, body smaller and a smaller head shape in Aspidoras compared with Corydoras. Aspidoras posses a duel fontanel bone structure in the skull whereas Corydoras have only the one larger fontanel. Lineage: All Aspidoras belong to Lineage 2 with the exception of A. pauciradiatus which will prove to be a Corydoras and if a revision is carried out will be Gastrodermus (Cope, 1878) and a member of Lineage 5 alongside members of the "elegans group". Aquarium Care: Aspidoras rochai is fairly uncommon in the hobby but as with all of this genus they are best kept in groups of six or more and are best housed with small fishes that are not aggressive. Provide a planted area in the tank for cover and include a soft substrate such as sand or small rounded gravel. Diet: Flake, tablet foods, small live and frozen foods. Remarks: As far as can be ascertained this species has never been seen in the hobby. (2012). The first specimen pictured is similar to the original description of several light rounded spots on operculum and flanks although R.von Ihering stated that he could not give a full description of the lecotype and the paralectotype owing to the damage to the dorsal and caudal fin which was completely missing as shown in the second image, which is the Lecotype. Many species of Aspidoras are difficult to tell apart unless there is area catchment information available.

Common Name:

None

Synonyms:

None

Family:

Callichthyidae

Distribution:

South America: Brazil, Federal state Ceará, Fortaleza, 03° 45' S / 38°35' W. Type Locality: Fortaleza, capital of State of Ceará, Brazil.

Size:

Male: 4.5cm (1¾ins) Female: 5.0cm (2ins)

Temp:

21-25°C (69-77°F)

p.H.

6.0-7.2.

Reference:

Alexandrou, Markos & Taylor, Martin. (2011). Evolution, ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
Ian A. M. Fuller & Hans-Georg Evers (2011). Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish Supplement 1. Ian Fuller Enterprises.
Nijssen H. & Isbrücker I.J.H.: 1976, The South American Plated Catfish Genus Aspidoras, R. von Ihering,1907, with descriptions of nine new species from Brazil (Pisces, Siluriformes, Callichthyidae).
ScotCat Article: The Genus Aspidoras.

Family: Callichthyidae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Aspidoras cf. rochai

Aspidoras rochai
Lecotype 1907 MZUSP 2195

Aspidoras rochai

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