TankBud

Sixray cory

Gastrodermus pauciradiatus

Also known as Six ray cory, Aspidoras pauciradiatus, Corydoras pauciradiatus

FreshwaterFish

Sixray cory (Gastrodermus pauciradiatus)
Mike Noren · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
70–81°F
21–27°C
pH
5.5–7.2
Adult size
1.4 in
3.5 cm
Minimum tank
13 gal
50 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Egg scatterer · Hard
Rarity
Very rare
Family
Callichthyidae
Origin
Brazil

Overview

The sixray cory is a tiny, social catfish that spends its time foraging across the sand. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The sixray cory can take a quick gulp of air at the surface and absorb oxygen through its gut, like other corys. This backup system lets it cope when oxygen in the water runs low.

Caring for the sixray cory

Keep sixray corys in a group of six or more. Their small size makes them a good fit for a nano tank of 13 gal (50 L) or larger. Give them a soft sand bottom, gentle flow and some shade. A planted tank with hiding spots helps these shy fish settle in.

Keep the water soft and acidic, at 70 to 81°F (21 to 27°C) and a pH of 5.5 to 7.2. Feed sinking pellets, wafers and small frozen foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. Make sure the food reaches the bottom.

Sixray corys are peaceful and safe with other community fish. They scatter eggs onto plants and surfaces, and the eggs hatch in a few days. Breeding them is difficult.

Good to know

The sixray cory is a small armored catfish in the family Callichthyidae, and one of the smallest of its group. It was described as a Corydoras in 1970, later moved to Aspidoras, and is now listed as Gastrodermus pauciradiatus. Like its relatives, it carries bony plates instead of scales.

In the wild

The sixray cory comes from soft, slightly acidic streams in Brazil. It often lives in slow, shallow water over sand, with plant cover and leaf litter.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The sixray 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.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a sixray cory need?

A sixray cory needs at least 13 gal (50 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a sixray cory need?

A sixray cory is comfortable at 70–81°F (21–27°C) with a pH of 5.5–7.2.

What does a sixray cory eat?

A sixray cory eats sinking pellets, wafers and small frozen foods such as brine shrimp or bloodworms. Make sure the food reaches the bottom.

How big does a sixray cory get?

An adult sixray cory reaches about 1.4 in (3.5 cm).

Does a sixray cory need a group?

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

How does a sixray cory breed?

Sixray corys scatter their eggs onto plants and other surfaces, and the eggs hatch in a few days. Breeding them is difficult.

Related species