I offer three of mines, which I am still trying to figure what they are. I would welcome expert advice and otherwise. I hope you feel like showing some of your Corys or commenting from your experience.
These 3 where purchased at different times and vendors, and are now together in one of my tanks. Source localities unknown, not even a country.
1) The first one is one of those “lineated” Corys, of which there are several similar species. I believe it may be either C. trilineatus or C. leopardus, but those are also similar to C. julii, and even others. About 2-3 years ago I submitted pictures of this specimen to this site and it was suggested here and in PlanetCatfish and that it may be C. leopardus; however recently, as a large adult, that it is instead, C. trilineatus.
The differences among the various taxa are slight, and the popular internet descriptions are misleading or wrong.
[My personal] Individual Differentiating Features (IDF) are:
Relatively long head; Small, roundish black blotch located mid to high on dorsal fin, stopping short of uncolored 1st large ray; No black on adipose fin; Distinctive forehead pattern (diamond)-don’t know how variable within species.
2) Another of those “lineated” Corys, this one is smaller, and is also younger (it has grown since arriving very small, 1+ year ago). It may be the same species, but I observe some differences. I do not know how important these are, because one doesn’t know how much variation there is within each species.
Individual Differentiating Features (IDF) are: Short head; Large black blotch on dorsal, covering most of the fin, with lower edge straight in parallel along uncolored fin base; Black on adipose fin; Somewhat different forehead color pattern.
This photo shows both 1) and 2) together, for comparison.
3) The third Cory is completely different. It was suggested on PlanetCatfish that it may be C. reticulatus. It does look a lot like it to me. This specimen is also young (it has grown since arriving very small, 6 months ago). About the same size as 2) above, both much smaller than 1).
Individual Differentiating Features (IDF) are: Mesh-like color pattern throughout, not “lined” on sides; Short head; Large black blotch on dorsal; Black 1st ray of dorsal, and black on the lower edge of the dorsal; Black on adipose; Different forehead color pattern.
What do you think? Show your Corys?
These 3 where purchased at different times and vendors, and are now together in one of my tanks. Source localities unknown, not even a country.
1) The first one is one of those “lineated” Corys, of which there are several similar species. I believe it may be either C. trilineatus or C. leopardus, but those are also similar to C. julii, and even others. About 2-3 years ago I submitted pictures of this specimen to this site and it was suggested here and in PlanetCatfish and that it may be C. leopardus; however recently, as a large adult, that it is instead, C. trilineatus.
The differences among the various taxa are slight, and the popular internet descriptions are misleading or wrong.
[My personal] Individual Differentiating Features (IDF) are:
Relatively long head; Small, roundish black blotch located mid to high on dorsal fin, stopping short of uncolored 1st large ray; No black on adipose fin; Distinctive forehead pattern (diamond)-don’t know how variable within species.
2) Another of those “lineated” Corys, this one is smaller, and is also younger (it has grown since arriving very small, 1+ year ago). It may be the same species, but I observe some differences. I do not know how important these are, because one doesn’t know how much variation there is within each species.
Individual Differentiating Features (IDF) are: Short head; Large black blotch on dorsal, covering most of the fin, with lower edge straight in parallel along uncolored fin base; Black on adipose fin; Somewhat different forehead color pattern.
This photo shows both 1) and 2) together, for comparison.
3) The third Cory is completely different. It was suggested on PlanetCatfish that it may be C. reticulatus. It does look a lot like it to me. This specimen is also young (it has grown since arriving very small, 6 months ago). About the same size as 2) above, both much smaller than 1).
Individual Differentiating Features (IDF) are: Mesh-like color pattern throughout, not “lined” on sides; Short head; Large black blotch on dorsal; Black 1st ray of dorsal, and black on the lower edge of the dorsal; Black on adipose; Different forehead color pattern.
What do you think? Show your Corys?
