San Juan Gastrodermus

Remarks:  Not much is known about the San Juan Gastrodermus as it is rather new to the hobby. They are known to be found in Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil most likely in areas with lots of fallen branches for them to hide under. The San Juan Gastrodermus looks very similar to the little Gastrodermus (Gastrodermus nanus) with thin tan, white, brown, and black horizontal stripes across their rounded bodies. These Gastrodermus are rather interesting to watch as they hover under structures and within the water column, rather than spend all of their time on the bottom, similar to the behavior of pygmy Gastrodermus. It was previously classified as 𝐶𝑜𝑟𝑦𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑠 bilineatus, but was reclassified as Gastrodermus bilineatus upon publication of a phylogenomic analysis in 2024 that reclassified many species in the Corydoradinae subfamily.

  Corydoradinae are small, peaceful catfish that are active shoalers and will stay near conspecifics, making for a lovely sight. They feed by searching through sand with their barbels, making such a substrate necessary for their long-term health. Gravel substrates tend to be abrasive and damage the barbels, leading to infections and an inability to find food.

  While these friendly catfish are willing to swim with other species of Corydoradinae different from their own, this does not provide the same social need as being kept with members of their own species. Because of this, it is highly recommended to keep at least six of each species of Corydoradinae present in the aquarium and only mix species if one has the space to keep at least six of each.

  Corydoradinae are often looked at as "scavengers," but they should be treated in a similar fashion as the rest of your fish. They are omnivores and require a mixed diet. Sinking prepared foods are readily accepted, as are frozen and live foods such as brine shrimp, blackworms, and bloodworms.