Nijssen's cory
Gastrodermus nijsseni
Also known as Corydoras nijsseni, Nijssen cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 5.5–7.0
- Adult size
- 1.8 in
- 4.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Rio Negro basin in Brazil.
Overview
Keep Nijssen's cories in a group of six or more over smooth sand in soft, acidic water around 22 to 26 C. They do best in a shaded, tannin stained tank with calm tankmates. Feed sinking pellets and small frozen foods such as bloodworm.
In the wild
Nijssen's cory comes from soft, acidic blackwater tributaries of the Rio Negro. It forages over sand and leaf litter in slow, tannin stained water. The fish keep to loose groups near cover.
Good to know
This is the catfish named Corydoras nijsseni, not to be confused with the identically named dwarf cichlid Apistogramma nijsseni. It has a dark mask through the eye with a pale spot behind it and a dark band running along the back. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Gastrodermus as Gastrodermus nijsseni.
Did you know
This catfish shares its name with a well known dwarf cichlid, so Corydoras nijsseni and Apistogramma nijsseni are easy to mix up in listings.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Nijssen's 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.
Gold rabbit snail
Tylomelania gemmifera
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Cardinal toothcarp
Brachyrhaphis roseni
Freshwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–86°F (22–30°C)
Fanning characin
Pyrrhulina rachoviana
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)
False network catfish
Brochis sodalis
Freshwater2.2 in (5.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
African oneline tetra
Nannaethiops unitaeniatus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Nijssen's cory need?
A Nijssen's cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Nijssen's cory need?
A Nijssen's cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.0.
How big does a Nijssen's cory get?
An adult Nijssen's cory reaches about 1.8 in (4.5 cm).
Does a Nijssen's cory need a group?
Yes. A Nijssen's cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
1.8 in (4.5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Nain dwarf cory
Gastrodermus nanus
1.8 in (4.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)Guapore cory
Gastrodermus guapore
2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2 in (5 cm)16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Napo cory
Gastrodermus napoensis
2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
2.1 in (5.4 cm)16 gal (60 L)68–79°F (20–26°C)Elegant cory
Gastrodermus elegans
2.1 in (5.4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)12 gal (45 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Nano cory
Gastrodermus gracilis
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 12 gal (45 L)
1.3 in (3.3 cm)13 gal (50 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Pygmy cory
Gastrodermus pygmaeus
1.3 in (3.3 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)