Sands cory

Corydoras davidsandsi

Also known as David Sands cory

FreshwaterFish

Sands cory (Corydoras davidsandsi) — MikoDaryl · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 5.5–7.2
Adult size: 2.4 in (6 cm)
Minimum tank: 21 gal (80 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Origin: Rio Unini, a tributary of the Rio Negro basin, Brazil (South America)
Family: Callichthyidae

Overview

Keep them in a group of at least six, and the more the better, since a small group leaves them shy and stressed. They are peaceful bottom dwellers that sift the sand all day, so soft sand substrate matters. Sharp gravel wears down their delicate barbels and opens the door to infection. Hold the water from 22 to 26 C, soft, and slightly acidic, around pH 5.5 to 7.2. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods, and the odd live treat. Their stiffened pectoral spines can pierce skin and snag nets, so net and handle them with care.

In the wild

Sands cory come from the Rio Unini, a tributary in the Rio Negro basin of Brazil. That is blackwater habitat, soft and slightly acidic, stained dark by leaf litter and shaded by forest above. To match it, give them a tank of at least 80 liters with a soft sand bottom, water from 22 to 26 C, and a pH on the acidic side, anywhere from 5.5 to 7.2. Botanicals or leaf litter, driftwood, and subdued lighting suit them well.

Good to know

This is an armoured catfish in the family Callichthyidae, reaching about 6 cm as an adult. It is often confused with the similar looking C. agassizii and C. melini. Like other Corydoras it is a facultative air breather, so an occasional dart to the surface for a gulp of air is normal behavior. It is an egg scatterer that lays on glass and plants, with no parental care after spawning.

Did you know

Breeding follows the classic Corydoras pattern. A cool water change that mimics the rainy season is what triggers a spawn, and the fish scatter sticky eggs across the glass and plant leaves. It takes some setup to get right, but it is well within reach once the group is settled and well fed.