PlanetCatfish.com - Gastrodermus elegans (Callichthyidae) Cat-eLog

Female
Dorsal view of pair - female below

Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Gastrodermus elegans** (Steindachner, 1876)
Common Names	Elegant Cory Elegant Pansermalle (Denmark), Panzerwels/Corydoras - Catfish (Germany)
Type Locality	Amazon River at Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil.
Synonym(s)	Cordoras elegans, Corydoras elegans, Corydoras pestai, Corydorus elegans
Pronunciation	gas trow derr muss - ELL ee ganz
Etymology	From the Latin, elegans meaning tasteful, fine.
Articles	- CotM 2000 August
Species Information
Size	51mm or 2" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	A very variable species not made easier to identify by the difference in colouration of mature males and females. Similar to C. napoensis, C. nanus and C. sp. CW044 (often called C. pestai), C. undulatus and a few variations thereof.
Sexing	As depicted above, the male is smaller, less high bodied, slender and more strikingly patterned.
Habitat Information
Distribution	South America: Upper Amazon River basin. Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes) (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Napo, Upper Napo, Aguarico (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Napo (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Ucayali (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Ampiyacu (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Nanay (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Marañón, Ucayali, Upper Ucayali, Tamaya (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Upper Amazon, Yavari (click on these areas to find other species found there) Amazon, Middle Amazon (Solimoes), Japurá, Caquetá (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
IUCN Red List Category	Not Evaluated
pH	6.0 - 7.4
Temperature	22.0-25.0°C or 71.6-77°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters	Water composition not vital but slightly softer water within the above ranges will bring out the best colouration in the males.
Husbandry Information
Feeding	Flake, tablets. Live food such as whiteworm, bloodworm, brineshrimp and tubifex (sparingly). Frozen bloodworm is more easily supplied and seems to bring on growth in sub-adults very satisfactorily. User data.
Furniture	This fish quite likes mid-water and so provide shady open space surrounded by low plants to provide cover and a few refuges at the outskirts of the main swimming area.
Compatibility	As for all Corys, a perfect citizen.
Suggested Tankmates	Other similar Corydoras, dwarf cichlids and tetras. A robust species that will adapt to larger peaceful tankmates. Keep in a shoal of at least 6.
Breeding	Interesting in that this fish is not reported to follow the usual Corydoras method of reproduction. Eggs are laid by the female and placed by the female in the usual manner, but the preceding T-position clinch does not occur. Fertilisation appears to occur after the eggs are placed on plants or the aquarium glass. Fry emerge after 3 days and are free swimming in another two. The fry are quite small and should be offered small foods such as microworm or powdered pre-soaked flake food. It is also reported that males become very aggressive in the lead up to spawning and no more than three are suggested.
Breeding Reports	There are 6 breeding reports, read them all here.
Further Information
Reference	Sitzungsberichte der Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Classe v. 74 (1. Abth.), pp 141 [93].
Registered Keepers	There are 104 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There are 6 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 28 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.1.1581.110
Last Update	2025 Jan 02 01:36 (species record created: 2001 Apr 30 00:00)