Head banded catfish - Corydoras melini

With its droll appearance, the headbanded armored catfish lives up to its name. Scientifically it is also called Corydoras melini and originates from South America and is found from Ecuador over Peru to Brazil also in the Amazon. It is named after its two black bands, the first of which runs directly above the eye and the second of which extends from the dorsal fin to the caudal fin. It grows to about 6 cm long and 10 years old. Because its care is quite simple, it can be easily maintained even by beginners.

The aquarium for the head banded catfish should have soft water with some current and an edge length of at least 80 cm. In addition, include a sandy corner and use a substrate with rounded gravel grains, because your pet likes to dig for treats and can otherwise injure its sensitive barbels. The tank should also be somewhat shaded, for this you can use floating plants, but also dim the lighting a bit. With roots, tubes and caves you offer him great hiding places, plants can be placed in the background, but also at the edge. Also pay attention to a cover, because as an intestinal respirator it regularly seeks the water surface for gas exchange.

Maintain these great comrades best in a group, because they are very sociable, you should allow them at least 5 buddies. They can also be kept together with other peaceful fish like livebearers, tetras, danios or loricariids. They can also be kept together with dwarf shrimps or amano shr imps. However, you should better do without crayfish.

Corydoras melini can also be bred in the aquarium. They lay their eggs on plant leaves, which hatch after some time. You can raise them with Artemia nauplii or with food for rearing.

You can feed this omnivore simple and uncomplicated, but make sure that it is balanced and varied. He eats both the food remains of his fellow fish, but also scalded vegetables, catfish tablets and food chips as well as live and frozen food such as Artemia, Daphnia, mosquito larvae or Tubifex.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all aufwuchs feeding sucking catfish in the aquarium is a balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic active ingredient complexes that provide sucking catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration. As snack, supplementary food or vacation food we recommend the CatfishPlates.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planaria and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend when keeping fish the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.