Gastrodermus nanus, the little corydoras, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Corydoradinae, the corys, of the family Callichthyidae, the armored catfishes. This catfish is found in the Suriname and Maroni River basins in Suriname and the Iracoubo River basin in French Guiana.
This fish has been found in creeks with a moderate current, 0.5 to 3 m wide, shallow (20 cm to 50 cm depth) with sandy to sandy-muddy bottom and not brightly illuminated. It will grow in length up to . 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 . It feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. It lays eggs in dense vegetation and adults do not guard the eggs. In captivity, eggs have been deposited mostly on plant leaves. The female may produce up to 600 eggs.
Gastrodermus nanus coloring is usually silver with black stripes running horizontally from head to tail. Occasionally they can have amber or purple highlights in their coloring or a gray belly."Nanus Cory Cat" http://www.aquariumdomain.com/viewSpeciesFreshwater.php?id=141 Aquarium Domain. Retrieved: October 3, 2013
If kept as a pet, the care level is relatively easy as the fish has a peaceful temperament."Nanus Cory Cat" http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=830+1161+931&pcatid=931 Liveaquaria.com Retrieved: October 3, 2013 The aquarium should be well planted and have many places to hide. Use round gravel or smooth sand for the aquarium because the barbels can be damaged easily."Mini Cory- Corydora nanus"https://www.aqua-fish.net/fish/mini-cory Aqua-fish.net Retrieved: October 3, 2013 A community of at least six fish is ideal.Drs. Foster & Smith "Corydora nanus" http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=16+1919&aid=2465 Peteducation.com Retrieved: October 3, 2013
Corydoras nanus is of commercial importance in the aquarium trade industry.
See also List of freshwater aquarium fish species
References