False network catfish

Corydoras sodalis

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2.2 in (5.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 16 gal (60 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Peru, Brazil
Family: Callichthyidae

Overview

The false network catfish is a peaceful, sociable cory best kept in a group of six or more. It shoals along the bottom, sifting sand with its barbels, and settles in well with calm community fish that share warm, soft water. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and the occasional wafer, always making sure the food reaches the substrate. A group is comfortable in a tank of around 60 liters or larger, with open sandy areas to forage over.

In the wild

Corydoras sodalis lives in the Amazon of northeastern Peru and neighboring Brazil, over sand in warm, soft, slightly acidic water. Give it a soft sand bed, driftwood, dried leaves, and shaded planting, with clean, gently filtered water. Keep the temperature between 22 and 26 C and the pH from about 6.0 to 7.5. Steady water changes keep this patterned cory looking its best.

Good to know

This armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae reaches about 5.5 cm and wears a fine dark, net like pattern over a silvery body. Its name sodalis is Latin for companion, chosen for its close resemblance to the network cory, Corydoras reticulatus. It lacks the solid black blotch that reticulatus shows in the dorsal fin. Aquarium breeding has been achieved but is rated difficult, needing soft, clean water and well conditioned adults.

Did you know

The name false network catfish, and the Latin sodalis meaning companion, both point to a case of mistaken identity: this fish closely copies the true network cory, Corydoras reticulatus, but can be told apart because it lacks the dark blotch in the dorsal fin.