Sailfin cory
Scleromystax macropterus
FreshwaterFish
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 should be kept in a group of six or more near the bottom. It is generally peaceful, though mature males may spar and display with one another, so give it space and calm tankmates that share its taste for cooler water. It forages over sand and takes sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, and wafers. Because it is big and needs cool, oxygen rich water, plan on a tank of around 165 liters or larger.
In the wild
Scleromystax macropterus comes from cooler, well oxygenated streams of southern Brazil and Paraguay in the upper Parana system. It needs cool water, roughly 18 to 21 C, rather than tropical warmth, so keep it in an unheated or lightly cooled tank. Provide a sand bed, driftwood, and smooth rocks, with strong filtration and steady current, and a pH from about 6.0 to 7.5.
Good to know
This robust armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae reaches about 9 cm and sits in Scleromystax, a genus of stout, cool water species split from Corydoras. Its name macropterus means large fin, after the tall dorsal fin, which is especially high in mature males. The sexes differ in color and finnage. Aquarium spawning of this species is not widely documented.
Did you know
The name macropterus means large fin, and it fits: mature males raise a tall, flag like dorsal fin that gives the sailfin cory its common name and sets it off during their displays to one another.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
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.
Cupid cichlid
Biotodoma cupido
Freshwater4.7 in (12 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)68–86°F (20–30°C)
Celebes halfbeak
Nomorhamphus liemi
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)
Yoyo loach
Botia almorhae
Freshwater6.3 in (16 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)66–81°F (19–27°C)
European minnow
Phoxinus phoxinus
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 45 gal (170 L)54–68°F (12–20°C)
Common hatchetfish
Gasteropelecus sternicla
Freshwater1.6 in (4 cm) · 33 gal (125 L)68–82°F (20–28°C)
Chinese spiny loach
Cobitis sinensis
Freshwater6 in (15.3 cm) · 42 gal (160 L)59–75°F (15–24°C)
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.
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.
Related species
3.9 in (10 cm)40 gal (150 L)66–75°F (19–24°C)Banded cory
Scleromystax barbatus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)29 gal (110 L)68–77°F (20–25°C)Prionotos cory
Scleromystax prionotos
2.4 in (6 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Giant brochis
Brochis britskii
3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–79°F (21–26°C)Hognosed brochis
Brochis multiradiatus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)40 gal (150 L)70–82°F (21–28°C)Emerald catfish
Brochis splendens
3.1 in (8 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3 in (7.5 cm)20 gal (75 L)70–81°F (21–27°C)Bronze cory
Osteogaster aenea
3 in (7.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)