Spilotus Cory

About

Found in coastal river systems of Ceará in northeastern Brazil, Aspidoras spilotus is a compact little catfish belonging to a genus closely related to the more familiar Corydoras. Adults rarely push past an inch and a half, making this one of the smaller armored catfish you'll encounter in the hobby. One genuinely interesting biological quirk is that this species is capable of facultative air breathing. Meaning it can surface to gulp atmospheric air when oxygen levels in the water drop, an adaptation that likely serves it well in the seasonal, sometimes oxygen-poor drainages of its home region. In the aquarium it is thoroughly peaceful and, like most of its relatives, is a social animal that does best in a group of at least four to six individuals. Keeping a proper group brings out more natural, confident behavior and reduces stress noticeably compared to keeping just a pair. It is a straightforward species to care for and a reasonable choice for someone newer to keeping small catfish, provided the tank has soft substrate that won't abrade its sensitive barbels. A gentle current, some leaf litter or cover, and clean water will keep this little fish comfortable and active.