TankBud

Fairy cory

Hoplisoma atropersonatum

Also known as Corydoras atropersonatus, Caracha, Polka Dot Cory

FreshwaterFish

Fairy cory (Hoplisoma atropersonatum)
MaurizioCorydoras · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–81°F
21–27°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
16 gal
60 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Egg layer · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Ecuador, Peru

Overview

The fairy cory is a peaceful bottom dweller that spends the day sifting sand. It is easy to keep in a calm community tank.

Did you know

Fairy cories can breathe air. When oxygen runs low, they dash to the surface, gulp a mouthful and absorb it through a specialized stretch of the intestine. Then they release the spent bubble.

Caring for the fairy cory

Keep fairy cories in a group of at least six, and more if you can. A group fits in 16 gal (60 L) or more, and a long footprint gives them room to forage. Use a smooth sand bed, since sharp gravel wears down their delicate barbels, and add some leaf litter, wood and shade.

They want clean, well-oxygenated water at 70 to 81°F (21 to 27°C). Keep it soft and slightly acidic to neutral, at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. An occasional trip to the surface for air is normal. If the whole group is doing it constantly, check your water and aeration.

Feed sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm or daphnia. Do not assume they will live on leftovers from the fish above.

Fairy cories are peaceful and mix with calm community fish. They lay sticky eggs on surfaces and give no care after spawning, and breeding them at home is hard.

Good to know

The fairy cory is an armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae, with bony plates instead of scales. It carries fine speckling and a dark mask across the eyes. Its accepted name is Hoplisoma atropersonatum, and other names include Corydoras atropersonatus, caracha and polka dot cory.

In the wild

Fairy cories come from clear, slow streams in the upper Amazon drainage of Ecuador and Peru. The bottom there is soft sand and fine debris, where they root around for food.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The fairy 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 a fairy cory need?

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

What temperature and pH does a fairy cory need?

A fairy cory is comfortable at 70–81°F (21–27°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a fairy cory eat?

A fairy cory eats sinking pellets, wafers and frozen foods such as bloodworm or daphnia. Do not assume it will live on leftovers from the fish above.

How big does a fairy cory get?

An adult fairy cory reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

Does a fairy cory need a group?

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

How does a fairy cory breed?

Fairy cories lay sticky eggs on surfaces and give no care after spawning. Breeding them at home is hard.

Related species