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Elegant cory

Gastrodermus elegans

Also known as Corydoras elegans

FreshwaterFish

Elegant cory (Gastrodermus elegans)
Imperial Tropicals · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
68–79°F
20–26°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2.1 in
5.4 cm
Minimum tank
16 gal
60 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Egg depositor · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Peru, Ecuador, Brazil

Overview

The elegant cory is a peaceful schooling catfish that spends its days on the bottom of a community tank. It is a good first fish.

Did you know

Like other cories, the elegant cory can gulp air at the surface and pass it through its gut to absorb oxygen. That backup helps it cope when the water runs low on oxygen. A quick dash to the top and back is normal behavior, not a sign of trouble.

Caring for the elegant cory

Keep elegant cories in a school of at least six, in 16 gal (60 L) or more. Use sand or smooth, fine gravel so they can sift and dig without scraping their barbels raw. A planted tank with driftwood, some shade and gentle flow suits them.

Keep them on the cooler side, at 68 to 79°F (20 to 26°C), in soft water at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Slightly acidic water suits them. Feed sinking pellets and wafers plus occasional frozen or live foods, such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. Make sure the food reaches the bottom.

Elegant cories are peaceful and mix well with other calm community fish that like the same cooler, soft water. Males often hover and swim in midwater more than other cories, especially when active. They deposit their eggs on plants and surfaces, and breeding them at home is difficult.

Good to know

The elegant cory is an armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae, with bony plates covering its body in place of scales. It is listed as Gastrodermus elegans and also known as Corydoras elegans.

In the wild

Elegant cories come from slow, soft waters across Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. They live over sandy and silty bottoms, among leaf litter and plant cover.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The elegant 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does an elegant cory need?

An elegant cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does an elegant cory need?

An elegant cory is comfortable at 68–79°F (20–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does an elegant cory eat?

An elegant cory eats sinking pellets and wafers, plus occasional frozen or live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. Make sure the food reaches the bottom.

How big does an elegant cory get?

An adult elegant cory reaches about 2.1 in (5.4 cm).

Does an elegant cory need a group?

Yes. An elegant cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does an elegant cory breed?

Elegant cories deposit their eggs on plants and other surfaces. Breeding them at home is difficult.

Related species