Corydoras gossei

Identifying features:

Corydoras gossei has one distinguishing feature that sets it apart from all the other corydoras. All the fins have a matching color and this color differs greatly from the main coloring of the fish. The area around the eyes is covered with small golden colored spots. As a result of this some lingua refers to this corydoras as the golden headed corydoras. The tail fin has dark stripes that can be located easily from the translucents fin. Grayish green coloring dominates the back side and the stomach area is covered with yellowish white color patterns.

Behavior:

Corydoras gossei is a fish that normally lives in schools. In their natural habitat the schools consists of hundreds of fish. In the aquarium at least 6 fish should be kept so that the natural behavior would strenghten. When the scool reaches the size of about 15 the fish will act naturally. Other corydoras are accepted to the same school. Corydoras gossei is a remarkably easy aquarium fish. They are not agressive under any conditions. Suites well in the aquarium with great variety of fish including the discus.

Breeding:

Corydoras gossei has been bred succesfully for several years now. A 50 liter tank works fine as a spawning tank. The temperature should be lowered as low as 20 degrees celsius and the other water parameters should be monitored. A live food may work as the trigger for the spawn.

Habitat:

The natural habitat of the Corydoras gossei is Rio Mamore in the southern part of Brasil. The temperature over there are doesn't change very drasticly. The average temperature of the river is about 24 degrees celsius. It varies between 16 and 32 depending on the depth and season. Corydoras gossei goes well in the discus tank and the higher temperature doesn't bother the fish according to various hobbyist. The water in Rio Mamore is very soft and the main goal should be that the water in the aquarium is soft as well. The sand bed is propably the ideal bottom material for Corydas gossei as their natural behavior consist of sweeping around the bottom. Sharp gravel may harm the fish as they look for the food in the bottom. The wounds don't kill the fish but they are more likely to get sick.

Feeding:

Corydoras gossei enjoy almost all the commercial aquarium food. Dry food as well as the frozen foods seem to pass well. The fish should however be fed with diverce food. This keeps the fish in good healt and occasionaly the fish start breeding after a change in their diet.