Pink cory

Corydoras axelrodi

FreshwaterFish

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: Schooling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: Colombia
Family: Callichthyidae

Overview

The pink cory is a peaceful, easygoing shoaler that does well in a group of at least six. It sifts the sandy bottom with its barbels through the day and pairs nicely with small, calm community fish. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little algae wafer, making sure the food reaches the floor. Hardy and undemanding, a group is comfortable in a tank of around 60 liters or larger with soft sand to work over.

In the wild

Corydoras axelrodi lives in the Meta River basin of Colombia, over sand in soft, warm, gently flowing water. Provide 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. Regular water changes keep this pale cory in good condition.

Good to know

This small armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae reaches about 5 cm and shows a pale, faintly pink toned body crossed by a dark lateral stripe. It is named for the ichthyologist and aquarium publisher Herbert R. Axelrod. Despite an easygoing reputation as an aquarium fish, it is rated difficult to spawn, responding best to soft, clean water and well conditioned adults.

Did you know

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