#weitzmani

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Corydoras Weitzmani  "Two Saddle Cory"

The Weitzmani Tree is blooming again!

Corydoras weitzmani. Nijssen, 1971. This Cory used to be the "Holy Grail" for Corydoras enthusiasts around the world but in recent years the price has plummeted for this very nice and colourful species due to the continuing spawning's and distributing of the youngsters. A little history on this species makes interesting reading. The first specimens were collected in 1949 by C. Kalinowski and it wasn't until 1971 that it was finely described by Nijssen and named after Dr. Stanley Weitzman, Curator at the Smithsonian Institution for Natural History. The precise location at the time was never given for this species as it was being kept secret for future collections. The original description cited that this species lives high up in the mountains above 11, 000ft so would need lower temperatures in the aquarium, and so the myth was born for this "Holy Grail" Corydoras. In the fourthcoming years collectors, including Dr. David Sands who had one of the first comprehensive catfish books published in the early eighties, the much heralded 5 volume set "Catfishes of The World" sought this species in Cusco but of course in higher locations in this area. It was not until 2004 that this species was collected by a Japanese collector, Shigezo Kamihahta in the type locality of the Vilcanota river system near Cusco and not in the mountainous region as was stated over 60 years ago. The first spawning's of this species was credited to Ian Fuller of CorydorasWorld in 2004 and at the time fetched very high prices but in the intervening years the price has dropped with the the continuing breeding of this species for the aquarium hobby. Peru; Est, Cuzco, at Cuzco (13°32’S, 71°57’W), Vilcanota river system. Aquarium Care: This is akin to most of this genus, very peaceful, and would be best housed with small to medium sized tankmates such as Tetras, Rasboras and Danios or in a species tank for breeding purposes. Best to purchase 6 individuals or more as they will be happier in a group. Compatibility As with most Corydoras they are peacful. Breeding There are documented records of Corydoras weitzmani having been spawned in aquaria and we have numerous articles on the breeding of this genera here. Sexual differences As with most other species of catfish the males tend to be more slender than the females. The females are described as being larger and plumper especially when ready to spawn. The males are described as being more strikingly coloured than the females. Diet As with all the other catfish that I have had the pleasure to keep over the years, Corydoras weitzmani readily accepts a mixed and varied diet which includes tablet and granular foods, frozen bloodworm and good quality flake to name but a few. References CAGB magazine no. 5 January 1975. Zahrádka, Karel, Dr., TFH magazine. December 2007. Photo Credits Top image: © Ian Fuller @ Corydoras World Bottom image © Yann Fulliquet. Source: http://www.scotcat.com/factsheets/corydoras_weitzmani.htm