Albater cory
Aspidoras albater
Also known as C035, Aspidoras taurus, Aspidoras eurycephalus
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–77°F
- 22–25°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.2
- Adult size
- 1.6 in
- 4 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Rio Tocantins system in Goias, central Brazil.
Overview
The Albater cory is a small, peaceful Aspidoras for the bottom of a community tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
The Albater cory comes from the same central Brazilian region as a blind, cave dwelling relative. That catfish was later described in the same genus, as Aspidoras mephisto.
Caring for the Albater cory
Keep Albater cories in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 16 gal (60 L). Give them smooth sand and gentle flow.
They like soft to neutral water, at 72 to 77°F (22 to 25°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.2. Feed sinking pellets and small frozen foods such as bloodworm and daphnia.
Albater cories are peaceful and active, much like a small cory. They are safe with other community fish. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The Albater cory, Aspidoras albater, belongs to Aspidoras, close cory relatives with a slightly different skull structure. It is sold under the hobby code C035. Its pale body carries four large, dark, slanted blotches along the side.
In the wild
The Albater cory lives in clear, soft streams of the Tocantins system in Goias, central Brazil. It forages in active groups over sand, among leaf litter and roots.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Albater cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Threadfin rainbowfish
Iriatherina werneri
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Fanning characin
Pyrrhulina rachoviana
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does an Albater cory need?
An Albater cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does an Albater cory need?
An Albater cory is comfortable at 72–77°F (22–25°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.2.
What does an Albater cory eat?
An Albater cory eats sinking pellets and small frozen foods, such as bloodworm and daphnia.
How big does an Albater cory get?
An adult Albater cory reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).
Does an Albater cory need a group?
Yes. An Albater cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.6 in (4 cm)14 gal (54 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Poecilus shield skin
Aspidoras poecilus
1.6 in (4 cm) · 14 gal (54 L)
1.5 in (3.8 cm)13 gal (50 L)72–77°F (22–25°C)Brown-point shield skin
Aspidoras fuscoguttatus
1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)
1.7 in (4.4 cm)15 gal (55 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)Loach catfish
Aspidoras rochai
1.7 in (4.4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.8 in (4.5 cm)15 gal (55 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)Aspidoras cory-cat
Aspidoras raimundi
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Evelyn's cory
Hoplisoma evelynae
1.6 in (4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Many-spotted cory
Hoplisoma polystictum
1.6 in (4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)