Description

Corydoras catfish, or cory catfish, are beloved by all who have owned them. These peaceful fish are hardy, attractive, and lively. They can even help you keep your tank clean. Virtually all cory species should be kept in schools; stories of single corys pining away from loneliness are not uncommon. Corys should be kept only with small- to medium-sized peaceful fish.

Corys, like all catfish, are bottom feeders and scavengers (though they also appreciate a meal of brine shrimp). On the one hand, that means they can help to keep your tank clean by finding and eating bits of uneaten food and other debris. On the other hand, corys tend to make a bit of a mess as they poke through the substrate and send algae and other muck into the water. Bottom line, while they can be considered part of your tank’s “clean-up crew,” they’ll need a little help from snails, shrimp, and other scavengers.

Tankmates

Great for small to large aquariums, this species should be kept in groups of three or more. Ideal tankmates are other small fish, such as small peaceful barbs, danios, livebearers, killifish, small tetras, and dwarf cichlids. Keep in mind that this species prefers colder water, so avoid keeping with species that require the higher range of tropical temperatures. Also, don’t keep them with large or aggressive fish.

As with the other members of this family, the peppered cory has razor-sharp barbs under each eye, below the adipose fin, and in the front of the dorsal fin. They are intended to deter larger fish from swallowing them. These can, however, pose problems when attempting to net this little catfish, and care should be taken when doing so. This species is very peaceful, and although quite active during the day, they are also known for sitting in one spot for long periods of time, perusing the area to spot bits of food. They prefer the company of others of their own species and do best when kept in shoals.

An interesting behavior in this species is the ability to produce sound by abduction (movement away from the middle of the body) of its pectoral fins. This behavior is generally seen during courtship or in juveniles when they are socially distressed.