Black band cory
Osteogaster zygata
Also known as Corydoras zygatus, Zygus cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 2.6 in
- 6.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 21 gal
- 80 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Upper Amazon in the Rio Maranon watershed of eastern Ecuador and northern Peru.
Overview
The black band cory is a peaceful, striped cory for the bottom of a community tank. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
The black band cory is often sold as the rust cory. The only reliable difference is whether the dark stripe reaches the lower tail base. On the rust cory it does, and on the black band cory it fades out first.
Caring for the black band cory
Keep black band cories in a group of six or more over smooth sand, in a tank of at least 21 gal (80 L). They are peaceful and hardy once the tank has settled, and they are safe with other community fish.
They like soft to neutral water, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small sinking foods. Breeding them is moderately difficult.
Good to know
The black band cory, Osteogaster zygata, is a member of the family Callichthyidae. The 2024 revision moved it to the genus Osteogaster. A single narrow dark stripe runs along its upper flank.
In the wild
The black band cory lives in soft, slightly acidic tributaries of the Rio Maranon watershed, in eastern Ecuador and northern Peru. It forages over sand in slow, shaded water among wood and leaf litter. Groups move along the open bottom during the day.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The black band 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)
Bond's glass tetra
Xenagoniates bondi
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Rex halfbeak
Nomorhamphus rex
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Apple snail
Pomacea canaliculata
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 21 gal (80 L)64–81°F (18–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a black band cory need?
A black band cory needs at least 21 gal (80 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a black band cory need?
A black band cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
What does a black band cory eat?
A black band cory eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and other small sinking foods.
How big does a black band cory get?
An adult black band cory reaches about 2.6 in (6.5 cm).
Does a black band cory need a group?
Yes. A black band cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
2.4 in (6 cm)17 gal (65 L)68–73°F (20–23°C)Gold laser cory
Osteogaster melanotaenia
2.4 in (6 cm) · 17 gal (65 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Rust cory
Osteogaster rabauti
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Venezuelan orange cory
Osteogaster aenea
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3 in (7.5 cm)17 gal (63 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)Bronze cory
Osteogaster aenea
3 in (7.5 cm) · 17 gal (63 L)
2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Horseman cory
Osteogaster eques
2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
1.6 in (4 cm)15 gal (55 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Volcano cory
Osteogaster hephaestus
1.6 in (4 cm) · 15 gal (55 L)