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
Nijssen's cory is a peaceful blackwater cory that shoals on the bottom of a calm, shaded tank. It is a good next step after the easiest fish.
Did you know
Nijssen's cory shares its species name with a well known dwarf cichlid. Corydoras nijsseni and Apistogramma nijsseni are easy to mix up in listings.
Caring for the Nijssen's cory
Keep Nijssen's cories in a group of six or more, in a tank of at least 16 gal (60 L). Give them smooth sand and plenty of shade. Tannin stained water suits them best.
Aim for soft, acidic water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Feed sinking pellets and small frozen foods such as bloodworm.
Nijssen's cories are peaceful and do best with calm tank mates. Breeding them is of moderate difficulty.
Good to know
Nijssen's cory has a dark mask through the eye, with a pale spot behind it. A dark band runs along its back. The 2024 revision placed it in the genus Gastrodermus, as Gastrodermus nijsseni, in the family Callichthyidae.
In the wild
Nijssen's cory comes from soft, acidic blackwater tributaries of the Rio Negro in Brazil. It forages over sand and leaf litter in slow, tannin stained water. The fish keep to loose groups near cover.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The 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.
Neocaridina shrimp
Neocaridina davidi
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 5 gal (19 L)59–84°F (15–29°C)
Guppy
Poecilia reticulata
FreshwaterBrackish2.4 in (6 cm) · 10 gal (38 L)64–82°F (18–28°C)
Neon tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Freshwater1.5 in (3.8 cm) · 11 gal (40 L)70–77°F (21–25°C)
African oneline tetra
Nannaethiops unitaeniatus
Freshwater2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Spotted splash tetra
Copella nattereri
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Gold rabbit snail
Tylomelania gemmifera
Freshwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°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.
What does a Nijssen's cory eat?
A Nijssen's cory eats sinking pellets and small frozen foods such as bloodworm.
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)
1.4 in (3.5 cm)13 gal (50 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)Sixray cory
Gastrodermus pauciradiatus
1.4 in (3.5 cm) · 13 gal (50 L)