Scleromystax macropterus • Callichthyidae • Cat-eLog

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Scleromystax macropterus** Regan, 1913
Common Name(s)	Hi Fin Peppered Cory, Hi Fin Peppered Corydoras
Type Locality	Brazil, Paraná, Paranaguá (25°32'S, 48°36'W)
Synonym(s)	Corydoras macropterus
Pronunciation	ss KLER oh muss tax - mah CROPP terr uss
Etymology	Scleromystax: From the Greek sclero meaning hard and the Latin mystax meaning moustache. This specific epithet refers to its long (makros=long) feather-like fins (pteron=feather, fin).
Species Information
Size	100mm (3.9") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	A reasonably easy species to ID when adult due to the finnage. Generally more elongate than similarly patterned species. Females may be confused with other species.
Sexing	This species' males have (very obvious) longer pectoral and dorsal fins.
Habitat Information
Distribution	Coastal rivers from São Paulo to Santa Catarina, Brazil and some upper Paraná River tributaries. Santa Catarina State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there) La Plata, Paraná, Upper Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there) Sao Paulo State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there) (Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)
pH	5.4 - 7.0
Temperature	16.0-20.0°C or 60.8-68°F (Show others within this range)
Other Parameters	Requires cooler water but can be kept reasonably warm if water is well aerated - this is not recommended for long periods of time. Tolerant of high pH if acclimated gradually.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	All prepared foods and live / frozen treats such as bloodworm.
Furniture	Smooth pebbles and sand with bogwood and dried beech or oak leaves to leech tannins into the water. Plants can be used but are not necessary.
Compatibility	Peaceful community tank inhabitant although it's water requirements (cool blackwater) tend to limit selection somewhat. If the aim is not reproduction then these fish will tolerate higher pH closer but still below neutral. Mature males will fight often inflicting significant damage, keep in a large area or overcrowd them to avoid this. Ratios of males to females does not seem to avert this behaviour. Overcrowded small tanks will require meticulous water management.
Breeding	Unreported.
Further Information
References	Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 8) v. 11 (no. 62).
Registered Keepers	(1) Coryologist (k: 5), (2) smegforbrains, (3) ayrtoninst (k: 15), (4) mike h, (5) This Old Spouse, (6) archaquatics, (7) kjeanb (p: 2). Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.
Breeding Reports	None.
Articles	- CotM 2009 March
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Last Update	2011 Oct 05 12:10 (species record created: 2001 Apr 30 00:00)

Cat-eLog Data Sheet

Scientific Name

Scleromystax macropterus Regan, 1913

Common Name(s)

Hi Fin Peppered Cory, Hi Fin Peppered Corydoras

Type Locality

Brazil, Paraná, Paranaguá (25°32'S, 48°36'W)

Synonym(s)

Corydoras macropterus

Pronunciation

ss KLER oh muss tax - mah CROPP terr uss

Etymology

Scleromystax: From the Greek sclero meaning hard and the Latin mystax meaning moustache. This specific epithet refers to its long (makros=long) feather-like fins (pteron=feather, fin).

Species Information

Size

100mm (3.9") SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.

Identification

A reasonably easy species to ID when adult due to the finnage. Generally more elongate than similarly patterned species. Females may be confused with other species.

Sexing

This species' males have (very obvious) longer pectoral and dorsal fins.

Habitat Information

Distribution

Coastal rivers from São Paulo to Santa Catarina, Brazil and some upper Paraná River tributaries.
Santa Catarina State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)
La Plata, Paraná, Upper Paraná (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Sao Paulo State Rivers (click on these areas to find other species found there)

(Click the map-icon to show/hide map of species distribution)

5.4 - 7.0

Temperature

16.0-20.0°C or 60.8-68°F (Show others within this range)

Other Parameters

Requires cooler water but can be kept reasonably warm if water is well aerated - this is not recommended for long periods of time. Tolerant of high pH if acclimated gradually.

Husbandry Information

Feeding

All prepared foods and live / frozen treats such as bloodworm.

Furniture

Smooth pebbles and sand with bogwood and dried beech or oak leaves to leech tannins into the water. Plants can be used but are not necessary.

Compatibility

Peaceful community tank inhabitant although it's water requirements (cool blackwater) tend to limit selection somewhat. If the aim is not reproduction then these fish will tolerate higher pH closer but still below neutral. Mature males will fight often inflicting significant damage, keep in a large area or overcrowd them to avoid this. Ratios of males to females does not seem to avert this behaviour. Overcrowded small tanks will require meticulous water management.

Breeding

Unreported.

Further Information

References

Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 8) v. 11 (no. 62).

Registered Keepers

(1) Coryologist (k: 5), (2) smegforbrains, (3) ayrtoninst (k: 15), (4) mike h, (5) This Old Spouse, (6) archaquatics, (7) kjeanb (p: 2).

Click on a username above to see all that persons registered catfish species. You can also view all "my cats" data for this species.

Breeding Reports

None.

Articles