Corydoras melini

Bandit corydoras
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Callichthyidae
Subfamily:	Corydoradinae
Genus:	Corydoras
Species:	C. melini
Binomial name
Corydoras melini Lönnberg & Rendahl, 1930

The bandit corydoras (Corydoras melini) or false bandit catfish is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Corydoradinae sub-family of the Callichthyidae family. It originates in inland waters in South America, and is found in the upper Rio Negro and Meta River basins in Brazil and Colombia. It was originally described by Einar Lönnberg and H. Rendahl in 1930.

The fish will grow in length up to 2.0 inches (5.0 centimeters). It lives in a tropical climate in water with a 6.0 - 8.0 pH, a water hardness of 2 - 25 dGH, and a temperature range of 72 - 79 °F (22 - 26 °C). It feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. It lays eggs in dense vegetation and adults do not guard the eggs. The female holds 2-4 eggs between her pelvic fins, where the male fertilizes them for about 30 seconds. Only then does the female swim to a suitable spot, where she attaches the very sticky eggs. The pair repeats this process until about 100 eggs have been fertilized and attached.

The bandit corydoras is of commercial importance in the aquarium trade industry.

See also

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

External links

• Photos at Fishbase

References

• Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Corydoras melini" in FishBase. March 2006 version.