Punctatus cory
Corydoras punctatus
Also known as Suriname spotted cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 5.8–7.2
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 16 gal
- 60 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Common
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Suriname River basin in Suriname and Iracoubo basin in French Guiana
Overview
The Punctatus cory is a peaceful shoaler for the bottom of a community tank. It suits a keeper with a little experience.
Did you know
Most fish ever sold as the Punctatus cory were probably something else. For two centuries, much of the hobby applied the name to the wrong fish. The common spotted corys of Peru sold as punctatus are usually other species.
Caring for the Punctatus cory
Keep a group of six over fine sand, in a tank of at least 16 gal (60 L). Add some stones and wood.
Like other Guiana Shield corys, Punctatus corys want clean, flowing, oxygen-rich water. Keep them at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.8 to 7.2. Feed standard sinking and frozen foods.
Punctatus corys are peaceful and safe with other community fish. The real species reaches the trade only through infrequent Suriname exports, so confirm provenance before believing a label. Breeding reports for the true species are scarce, and breeding them is hard.
Good to know
Bloch described Corydoras punctatus in 1794, making it one of the oldest names in the genus. The genuine fish has a dotted body and a dorsal-fin flag.
In the wild
The true Punctatus cory lives in the Suriname and Iracoubo river systems of the Guianas, in Suriname and French Guiana. It keeps to sand in clear forest creeks.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Punctatus 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)
Threadfin glassfish
Gymnochanda filamentosa
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Spotted splash tetra
Copella nattereri
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Red-lined dwarf cichlid
Apistogramma rubrolineata
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
White spotted rabbit snail
Tylomelania towutica
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Cuming's barb
Pethia cumingii
Freshwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Punctatus cory need?
A Punctatus cory needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Punctatus cory need?
A Punctatus cory is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 5.8–7.2.
What does a Punctatus cory eat?
A Punctatus cory eats standard sinking and frozen foods.
How big does a Punctatus cory get?
An adult Punctatus cory reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Does a Punctatus cory need a group?
Yes. A Punctatus cory is a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.
Related species
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Northern longnose cory
Corydoras septentrionalis
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Orces's cory
Corydoras orcesi
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)Serratus cory
Corydoras serratus
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Simulatus cory
Corydoras simulatus
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Fuller's cory
Corydoras fulleri
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.6 in (6.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Ourastigma cory
Corydoras ourastigma
2.6 in (6.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)