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Hans-Georg Evers (2) Allan James (2)

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: The undescribed "Black Phantom" (named for its black dorsal) is beginning to appear 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: Aspidoras albater and C035 now turn out to be one and the same species. Many species of Aspidoras are difficult to tell apart unless there is area catchment information available.

Black Phantom, C035

None

Callichthyidae

South America: Brazil: Goiás, Rio Araguaia.

Male: 4.0cm (1½ins) Female: 5.0cm (2ins)

22-25°C (71-77°F)

6.5-7.2.

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.
ScotCat Article: The Genus Aspidoras.