Apiradoras

[nvcichlids]

Sorry If I spelt that wrong, I was just wondering how well they do in a community setting (would be with p.maccus and stiphodon sp). IT will be an unheated tank.

[MatsP]

Do you mean

Aspidoras

? I'd say that they are probably a bit more fragile than the most common corys, but otherwise similar to corys - I haven't kept any myself, tho'.

--
Mats

[Richard B]

Some species 'appear' fragile on import - (might just be bad shipment processes from a particular supplier(?)).

I haven't kept them in unheated tanks but once established are as hardy as corys IME. They do appear to be among the first to suffer if things go wrong though.

[nvcichlids]

Yes Mats that is what I ment... lol not ontop of my game today. Would corydoras plateus be better ( I know that is spelt wrong as well)? Or are there any other cold water species?

[Martin S]

For cooler water, there's nothing better than

Scleromystax barbatus

. It's a fish i've always loved, but never had a tank that would be cool enough to give these a decent home. I keep seeing them at my LFS, and they are often sold for standard tropical tanks, but according to the catelog, they do much better at cooler temperatures.
HTH
Martin

[Bas Pels]

Personally I would advise AGAINST Sc barbatulus

I kept them, under similar circumstances as my C paleatus, that is cold in winter (10 C on average) outdoors in summer (thus not too hot, although accasionally over 30 C, but at night much cooler) but the barbatus died still

Later I read they inhabit rather fast flowing water, so apart froom cold, thayalso need current

Paleatus only likes it not too hot

[Mike_Noren]

This is probably obvious, but both Panaque maccus and Stiphodon sp. are high-tropical species which will not do well in a coldwater tank.

[apistomaster]

I also find Aspidoras less hardy than similar Corydoras. Most of my experience is with 12 Aspidoras pauciradiatus and they seem to like warm water, 80-82*F. They are more sensitive than C. habrosus or C. hastatus I raise. They seem to do best in soft acid water.
I have one species of larger Aspidoras, possibly A. fuscoguttatus, and I only have a trio so it is difficult to draw many conclusions. I have kept them in my L134 breeding tank in soft water at 84*F and they frequently spawn after a water change although only a few of their eggs have hatched. I have had difficulty getting any of my Aspidoras spp. eggs to hatch for some reason.

[nvcichlids]

This is probably obvious, but both Panaque maccus and Stiphodon sp. are high-tropical species which will not do well in a coldwater tank.

I wouldn't agree there, they come from the rapids of mountain streams, which is why its an unheated tank

[apistomaster]

This is probably obvious, but both Panaque maccus and Stiphodon sp. are high-tropical species which will not do well in a coldwater tank.

I wouldn't agree there, they come from the rapids of mountain streams, which is why its an unheated tank

Mike is more correct. Most Stiphodon come from waters with a temp of 22*C at the low end and 28*C at the upper end. Not exactly a cool water fish. They do come from hill streams but hill streams are often warm streams.

Panque maccus are found often in warm waters of the Llanos, a region lacking much cover and characterized by warm streams.
They will not do well in cool water. They do thrive in Discus tanks provided some wood.

[nvcichlids]

well I just checked the temp in the tank and it has risen to 76, so all is well, it should remain stable because of the temp control for my place. So even without a heater, its going to run mid 70's

[Mike_Noren]

I wouldn't agree there, they come from the rapids of mountain streams, which is why its an unheated tank

Flowing does not necessarily equal cold. Stiphodon do live in rapidly flowing water and are among the very few fish able to climb water falls, and I expect there are some species in the mountains of PNG who do live in cold water, but those sold in the trade are typically caught at low altitude and in fairly warm water. Panaque maccus, conversely, is found in lowland rivers in Venezuela.
These are not at all temperate or coldwater fish, and not really suitable tankmates for fish like C. paleatus and S. barbatulus.