Corydoras weitzmani

6. July 2007

Corydoras weitzmani

This is one of the most spectacular representative of the Corydoras genus recently imported. For us this is the ultimate Corydoras. Its closest relative is probably Corydoras panda. The body pattern is similar to the recently described Corydoras tukano. This species was caught by the authors in September 2004 in the riverine system of the Rio Madre de Dios in Peru. Recently the first importation of this fish was successful as well and is probably the first time this fish has been brought alive to Europe, albeit in low numbers. Around this species there are circulating several rumours. Especially the place of origin of the holotypes (out of the collection of C. Kalinowski from 1949) seems to be incorrect, because many years of searching in the area of Cusco this species could not be found. Not before 2004 Belinda and Lance R. Peck (Aquarium Gonewild, Peru) caught this rare catfish accidentally in a small area heavily destroyed by gold diggers. Often this fish is caught as individuals and despite many expeditions this species has only been imported in extreme low numbers. We participated in one of those expeditions and could catch only a couple of these Corydoras catfish. A larger importation to Germany was not possible during this period. Now this species has come available in amounts, which are suitable for the first breeding attempts. If these are successful this species can be distributed and made available for the aquarium hobbyists. Due to the destruction of the natural habitat of this catfish the future import will be doubtful. Aquarium Glaser is offering an exclusively part of the recently imported wild caught Corydoras weitzmani. (Text: P.+M. Hoffmann, Photo: P. Hoffmann)

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Peru, Madre de Dios