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orydoras (now Osteogaster) eques was, not so long ago, the holy grail for Corydoras catfish keepers but now with imports of this beautiful species and aquarium spawning's as well, this is the Cory that we now feature in this months October 2013 factsheet. First described (as Osteogaster eques) as long ago as 1876 by the Austrian zoologist Franz Steindachner and it has only intermittently appeared on importers lists.

Osteogaster eques - male

There are three species that are very similar to Osteogaster eques. The first species depicted here was collected in the type locality for O. eques in Brazil and is the true O. eques. The other two species that are alike are from Peru, one is caught alongside Osteogaster rabauti in the upper Ucayali, Osteogaster cf. eques, which has been given the CW number of CW043 and is almost identical to C. eques (now the same species) apart from a slight difference in body shape and colour pattern, and the other is captured alongside Osteogaster zygata and has been given the CorydorasWorld number of CW007.

Osteogaster sp. CW043

Osteogaster sp. CW007

The first thing that you notice when you acquire this species is the relentless swimming motions in the aquarium, especially in a species only breeding tank setup. They will come to the front of the tank as soon as you approach the aquarium and will swim up and down on the front glass. This was a pleasant surprise for me and water changes are a source of delight for them. After having previously purchased a group of CW010s, and there crepuscular habits, this was a nice change.

Horseman Cory

Corydoras eques

Corydoradinae

South America: Brazil; Amazonas, Rio Amazonas at Codajas.

Male: 5.0cm. (2ins) Female: 5.5cm (2¼ins)

22-26°C (71-79°F)

Short and compact.

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 only tank for breeding purposes. Best to purchase 6 individuals or more, although they are still quite expensive, as they will be happier in a group.

These fish have proven to be rather difficult to breed but it can be done (Graham Ramsay). Place a conditioned pair or two in a smallish tank with a sponge filter and lots of fine-leaved plants. Include floating plants as the fish like to lay their eggs near the surface. A period of stability of several weeks can be followed by a large water change with cooler water. If you are lucky, the fish will spawn in the usual Corydoras/Osteogaster manner laying several hundred eggs in the process.

Readily accepts a mixed and varied diet which includes granular foods, tablet food, frozen bloodworm and a good quality flake.

Osteogaster: ostéon, bone; gast, belly, referring to coracoid bones of Osteogaster eques, which, unlike those of Gastrodermus elegans, enclose the ventral region.
eques: From ‘eques’, a horse.

Alexandrou, Markos & Taylor, Martin (2011). Evolution, ecology and taxonomy of the Corydoradinae revisited.
Fuller, I.A.M. & Evers, H-G: 2005 Identifying Corydoradinae Catfish 384 p.
Google Maps - © 2013 Google.
Ramsay, Graham; Corydoras eques – the horseman’s corydoras. The Fair City Aquarist Society web page.
Seus, Werner; Corydoras The most popular armoured catfishes of South America. Dähne Verlag. 218p.

Photo Credits

Top image:  © Allan James @
Bottom images: © Ian Fuller @