Banded Corys
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While I haven't kept that particular species, in my experience all cories get on fine together.
Agree on corys getting along, but let's be certain which species is meant as there is an exception. "Banded cory" has been used for several species, such as Corydoras metae or C. melini, or something similar. But I have also seen it referring to a species that used to be classified in the Corydoras genus but quite recently has been moved to the genus Scleromystax, and the species is Scleromystax barbatus, previously Corydoras barbatus. Seriously Fish uses this common name for this species, and as you (gmc1) are in the UK, you might be referring to this species?
Unlike the closely-related Corydoras, males are very territorial. If this is the species under consideration, it is best kept in a pair, or in a small group in larger tanks. Aggression between males can inflict serious injury and even death of the weaker fish. So far as I know, this fish does not normally bother non-species tankmates, but I won't guarantee this.
For the taxonomically-interested, Scleromystax was reinstated as a valid genus by Marcello Britto (2003) when he established the monophyly of this and three other species; interestingly, these species are phylogenetically closer to those in Aspidoras than they are to the species in Corydoras (Britto & Reis, 2005). Britto (2003) suggested that the Scleromystax species are a sister-clade to Aspidoras, but recognizing the issues combining these would raise, left the two genera distinct for the present. It is also now known that the genus Corydoras is not monophyletic, meaning that the species presently assigned to it are not all descended from the same ancestor. Much work is still needed, and being done as we write, but most now suggest there will be nine genera resulting when this is finally resolved. I went into more detail in the Notes portion of the profile of Schleromystax barbatus for SF, so if anyone wants more, check that out:
http
/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/scleromystax-barbatus/
Byron.
Unlike the closely-related Corydoras, males are very territorial. If this is the species under consideration, it is best kept in a pair, or in a small group in larger tanks. Aggression between males can inflict serious injury and even death of the weaker fish. So far as I know, this fish does not normally bother non-species tankmates, but I won't guarantee this.
For the taxonomically-interested, Scleromystax was reinstated as a valid genus by Marcello Britto (2003) when he established the monophyly of this and three other species; interestingly, these species are phylogenetically closer to those in Aspidoras than they are to the species in Corydoras (Britto & Reis, 2005). Britto (2003) suggested that the Scleromystax species are a sister-clade to Aspidoras, but recognizing the issues combining these would raise, left the two genera distinct for the present. It is also now known that the genus Corydoras is not monophyletic, meaning that the species presently assigned to it are not all descended from the same ancestor. Much work is still needed, and being done as we write, but most now suggest there will be nine genera resulting when this is finally resolved. I went into more detail in the Notes portion of the profile of Schleromystax barbatus for SF, so if anyone wants more, check that out:
http
/www.seriouslyfish.com/species/scleromystax-barbatus/Byron.
Very interesting, a handsome fish. Never seen these guys before either in a shop or someones tank.
These things are huge compared with most cories, almost as big as brochis. I'd love to see some of these in my LFS.
These things are huge compared with most cories, almost as big as brochis. I'd love to see some of these in my LFS.
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