Serratus cory
Corydoras serratus
Also known as Sawfin cory
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–84°F
- 25–29°C
- pH
- 5.2–6.8
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Shoaling
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Upper Rio Negro basin, Amazonas, Brazil
Overview
The Serratus cory is a peaceful bottom dweller for experienced keepers. Cory specialists regard it as one of the harder Rio Negro species to settle and keep long term.
Did you know
The Serratus cory has a reputation among cory collectors as the Rio Negro's prima donna. It is showy and expensive, and it is quick to punish sloppy water.
Caring for the Serratus cory
Keep a proper shoal of Serratus cories, because singletons of this species rarely do well. Give them a mature, quiet tank of 20 gal (75 L) or larger, with sand, leaf litter and shade.
They need stable warmth, at 77 to 84°F (25 to 29°C), and they sulk in cool tanks. Keep the water soft and acidic, with a pH of 5.2 to 6.8. Feed rich frozen foods alongside sinking prepared foods to hold their body weight.
Serratus cories are peaceful and safe with other community fish. There is no reliable breeding record for this species.
Good to know
The Serratus cory was described by David Sands in 1995. The name refers to the serrated leading pectoral spines, which are heavier than in most relatives. It wears a long dark arch over a metallic body.
In the wild
The Serratus cory lives in the blackwaters of the upper Rio Negro basin in Amazonas, Brazil. The water there is hot, acidic and nearly mineral-free.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Serratus 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.
Aurora tetra
Moenkhausia aurora
Freshwater2 in (5.2 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Blue panchax
Aplocheilus panchax
Freshwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–82°F (22–28°C)
Vampire shrimp
Atya gabonensis
Freshwater5.1 in (13 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Whiptail catfish
Rineloricaria sp.
Freshwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–84°F (24–29°C)
Purple pencilfish
Nannostomus rubrocaudatus
Freshwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Kuekenthal's halfbeak
Hemirhamphodon kuekenthali
Freshwater3.3 in (8.5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Serratus cory need?
A Serratus cory needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Serratus cory need?
A Serratus cory is comfortable at 77–84°F (25–29°C) with a pH of 5.2–6.8.
What does a Serratus cory eat?
A Serratus cory eats rich frozen foods along with sinking prepared foods. Together they help it hold its body weight.
How big does a Serratus cory get?
An adult Serratus cory reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
Does a Serratus cory need a group?
Yes. A Serratus 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)16 gal (60 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Punctatus cory
Corydoras punctatus
2.4 in (6 cm) · 16 gal (60 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)