False spotted catfish facts for kids

Quick facts for kids False spotted catfish
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Callichthyidae
Genus:	Corydoras
Species:	C. leucomelas
Binomial name
Corydoras leucomelas C. H. Eigenmann & W. R. Allen, 1942
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The false spotted catfish (Corydoras leucomelas) is a small, peaceful freshwater fish. It belongs to a group of fish called armored catfish. These fish are known for their tough, plate-like scales. The false spotted catfish comes from rivers in South America.

About the False Spotted Catfish

This little fish can grow up to about 1.7 inches (4.5 centimeters) long. It has a unique look with its spotted patterns. It's a popular choice for home aquariums because of its calm nature.

Where Do False Spotted Catfish Live?

False spotted catfish live in the wild in the upper Amazon River basin. This area includes parts of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. They prefer warm, tropical waters.

In their natural home, the water is usually:

• Between 72 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 26 degrees Celsius)
• Slightly acidic to neutral (a pH of 6.0 to 8.0)
• Not too hard or too soft (a water hardness of 2 to 25 dGH)

What Do False Spotted Catfish Eat?

These fish are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. In their natural habitat, they search for food on the riverbed. Their diet includes:

• Small worms
• Tiny water bugs (called crustaceans)
• Small insects
• Bits of plant matter

Life Cycle and Reproduction

When it's time to lay eggs, female false spotted catfish find places with lots of plants. They lay their eggs among the thick vegetation. Unlike some other fish, the adult catfish do not stay to guard their eggs. The eggs are left to hatch on their own.

See also

In Spanish: Corydoras leucomelas para niños

• List of freshwater aquarium fish species