TankBud

Pink cory

Hoplisoma axelrodi

Also known as Corydoras axelrodi

FreshwaterFish

Pink cory (Hoplisoma axelrodi)
Elizabeth Barrett / animal.photos · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°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
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Colombia

Overview

The pink cory is a hardy, undemanding shoaler for the bottom of a calm community tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The pink cory is named for Herbert Axelrod, the ichthyologist and prolific aquarium author and publisher. His wife is honored too, on another fish in this group: Evelyn's cory, Corydoras evelynae.

Caring for the pink cory

Keep pink cories in a group of at least six, in a tank of at least 16 gal (60 L). Give them a soft sand bed to work over, with driftwood, dried leaves and shaded planting.

Keep the water clean and gently filtered, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Regular water changes keep them in good condition.

Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little algae wafer. Make sure the food reaches the floor, since they sift the sandy bottom with their barbels through the day.

Pink cories are peaceful and pair nicely with small, calm community fish. Despite their easygoing reputation, they are rated difficult to spawn. They respond best to soft, clean water and well-conditioned adults.

Good to know

The pink cory, Hoplisoma axelrodi, is a small armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae. It has a pale, faintly pink body crossed by a dark lateral stripe.

In the wild

The pink cory lives in the Meta River basin of Colombia, over sand in soft, warm, gently flowing water.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The pink 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 pink cory need?

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

What temperature and pH does a pink cory need?

A pink cory is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a pink cory eat?

A pink cory eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little algae wafer. The food needs to reach the floor, where it sifts the sand with its barbels.

How big does a pink cory get?

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

Does a pink cory need a group?

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

How does a pink cory breed?

Pink cories are rated difficult to spawn, despite their easygoing reputation. They respond best to soft, clean water and well-conditioned adults.

Related species