Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: corydoras

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: The genus Corydoras, as reviewed by Nijssen and Isbrücker (1980), included approximately 100 species and subspecies. Descriptions of new species since have raised the number of species to more than 150 (Reis 2003). Distinguishing characteristics were provided in Nijssen and Isbrücker (1980) and Burgess (1989, 1992). Color photographs appeared in Burgess (1989, 1992) and Ferraris (1991).

Size: 2.5 to 12 cm TL; most less than 7 cm TL

Native Range: Tropical America. Widespread in South America including, but not limited to, the Amazon, Orinoco, and La Plata-Parana basins, the Guianas, and Trinidad (Burgess 1989).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: The Colorado hot springs area is used for culturing aquarium fish, and the record represents an escape or release from a local fish farm. The Florida record may be result of escape from fish farm or aquarium release.

Status: Failed in Colorado and Florida. Shafland et al. (2008) do not mention this species.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: The first imports of Corydoras catfishes into North America as aquarium fish were around 1915 (Burgess 1989). The Florida record reported by Shafland (1976) is most likely the source for the listing of a Corydoras species by Courtenay et al. (1984, 1991).

Colorado specimens reportedly were deposited with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Fort Collins, Colorado (Zuckerman, personal communication). Many of the Colorado fish collected by Zuckerman are now part of the MSB collection; however, Corydoras did not appear in a 1995 listing of fish species being transferred to MSB. As such, the voucher specimen has disappeared and is presumed lost.

References: (click for full references)

Burgess, W.E. 1989. An atlas of freshwater and marine catfishes: a preliminary survey of the Siluriformes. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.

Burgess, W.E. 1992. Colored atlas of miniature catfish: every species of Corydoras, Brochis, and Aspidoras. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ.

Courtenay, W.R., Jr., D.P. Jennings, and J.D. Williams. 1991. Appendix 2: exotic fishes. Pages 97-107 in Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott, eds. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada, 5th edition. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 20. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.

Courtenay, W.R., Jr., D.A. Hensley, J.N. Taylor, and J.A. McCann. 1984. Distribution of exotic fishes in the continental United States. Pages 41-77 in W.R. Courtenay, Jr., and J.R. Stauffer, Jr., eds. Distribution, biology and management of exotic fishes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Ferraris, C.J., Jr. 1991. Catfish in the aquarium. Tetra Press, Morris Plains, NJ.

Nijssen, H., and I.J.H. Isbrücker. 1980. A review of the genus Corydoras Lacépède, 1803 (Pisces, Siluriformes, Callichthyidae). Bijdragen tot de Dierkunde 50(1):190-220.

Reis, R.E., S.O. Kullander, and C.J. Ferraris, Jr., eds. 2003. Family Callichthyidae (Armored catfishes). Check List of the Freshwater Fishes of South and Central America. Edipucrs, Porto Alegre, Brazil. 291-309.

Shafland, P.L. 1976. The continuing problem of non-native fishes in Florida. Fisheries 1(6):25.

Shafland, P.L., K.B. Gestring, and M.S. Sanford. 2008. Categorizing introduced fishes collected from public waters. Southeastern Naturalist 7(4):627-636.

Zuckerman, L. - Aquatic Ecologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pratt, KS.

Zuckerman, L.D., and R.J. Behnke. 1986. Introduced fishes in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Pages 435-452 in R.H. Stroud, ed. Fish culture in fisheries management. Proceedings of a symposium on the role of fish culture in fisheries management at Lake Ozark, MO, March 31-April 3, 1985. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.

Other Resources:

Author: Leo Nico, and Pam Fuller

Peer Review Date: 6/22/2012

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.