TankBud

Geoffroy's cory

Corydoras geoffroy

Also known as Type cory, Geoffroy's catfish, Wolf Cory

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–81°F (23–27°C)
pH
5.8–7.2
Adult size
3 in (7.5 cm)
Minimum tank
26 gal (100 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Coastal rivers of Suriname and French Guiana
Family
Callichthyidae

Overview

A shoal needs 100 liters with open sand to sift. It feeds like any cory on sinking and frozen foods but appears in the trade only rarely, usually as costly Guiana imports. No reliable captive breeding account exists. For collectors of the genus this is the historical crown piece rather than a casual purchase.

In the wild

Geoffroy's cory lives in the coastal rivers of Suriname and French Guiana, over sand in clear, flowing forest water. It is a largish, long-snouted cory that likes room and current. Keep it on deep fine sand with wood and stones at 23 to 27 degrees Celsius, pH 5.8 to 7.2, in well-oxygenated water.

Good to know

This is the species that started it all: Lacepede described Corydoras geoffroy in 1803 as the very first cory, making it the type species of the genus. Every other cory was measured against it for two centuries, and the 2024 revision anchored the restricted genus Corydoras on it. Adults reach about 7.5 centimeters.

Did you know

Every one of the hundreds of corys in the hobby traces its genus name back to this fish, described in 1803 while Napoleon ruled France.

Tank mates

Geoffroy's cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Geoffroy's cory need?

A Geoffroy's cory needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Geoffroy's cory need?

Geoffroy's cory are comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.8–7.2.

How big do Geoffroy's cory get?

An adult Geoffroy's cory reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).

Do Geoffroy's cory need a group?

Yes. Geoffroy's cory are a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Corydoras · Schooling fish · Community fish · Bottom dwellers

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