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Sailfin cory

Scleromystax macropterus

FreshwaterFish

Sailfin cory (Scleromystax macropterus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
64–70°F
18–21°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
3.5 in
9 cm
Minimum tank
44 gal
165 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Brazil, Paraguay

Overview

The sailfin cory is a larger, cool-water catfish that lives near the bottom. It is mostly peaceful and best kept by someone with a little experience.

Did you know

The sailfin cory's species name, macropterus, means large fin. It refers to the tall, flag-like dorsal fin that also gives the fish its common name.

Caring for the sailfin cory

Keep sailfin cories in a group of six or more. Plan on a tank of 44 gal (165 L) or larger, because they are big and need cool, oxygen-rich water. Give them a sand bed to forage over, with driftwood and smooth rocks.

Hold the water at 64 to 70°F (18 to 21°C), cool rather than tropical, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. An unheated or lightly cooled tank suits them, with strong filtration and a steady current. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and wafers.

Sailfin cories are mostly peaceful, though mature males may spar and display with one another. Give them space and calm tank mates that share their taste for cooler water. Mature males also carry an especially high dorsal fin, and the sexes differ in color and finnage. Aquarium spawning of this species is not widely documented.

Good to know

The sailfin cory is a robust armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae. It belongs to Scleromystax, a genus of stout, cool-water species split from Corydoras.

In the wild

The sailfin cory comes from cooler, well-oxygenated streams of southern Brazil and Paraguay, in the upper Parana system.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The sailfin cory is a mostly 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 sailfin cory need?

A sailfin cory needs at least 44 gal (165 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a sailfin cory need?

A sailfin cory is comfortable at 64–70°F (18–21°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a sailfin cory eat?

A sailfin cory eats sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and wafers. It forages for them over the sand.

How big does a sailfin cory get?

An adult sailfin cory reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).

Does a sailfin cory need a group?

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

How can you tell a male sailfin cory from a female?

Males carry an especially high dorsal fin once they are mature. The sexes also differ in color and finnage.

Related species