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Horseman's corydoras (Corydoras eques) — Callichthyidae

Horseman's corydoras

Corydoras eques

The Horseman's corydoras (Corydoras eques) is a freshwater fish of the family Callichthyidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil

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Description

The Horseman's corydoras is a small armoured catfish (Callichthyidae) from fresh water of the western Amazon basin in Brazil. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with two rows of overlapping bony plates and three pairs of barbels around an underslung mouth. The body has an orange-red tinge with a green flank patch. As a gregarious bottom-dweller it roots in groups through soft sand in search of worms, larvae and detritus and can take a gulp of air at the surface. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Horseman's corydoras?

The Horseman's corydoras has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Horseman's corydoras live?

The Horseman's corydoras lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Horseman's corydoras get?

The Horseman's corydoras grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Horseman's corydoras dangerous to humans?

No, the Horseman's corydoras is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Horseman's corydoras (Corydoras eques) — Callichthyidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Horseman's corydoras (Corydoras eques) — Callichthyidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) cassfish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Horseman's corydoras (Corydoras eques) — Callichthyidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Michael Mehlhorn (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Horseman's corydoras (Corydoras eques) — Callichthyidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Memelukas (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Horseman's corydoras sourced
Scientific name
Corydoras eques
Family
Callichthyidae
Other names
Horsemans cory sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus
Territorial
No
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Corydoras

More from the family Callichthyidae

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