Spotted cory

Corydoras melanistius

FreshwaterFish

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2.2 in (5.5 cm)
Minimum tank: 16 gal (60 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Hard
Rarity: Rare
Origin: The Guianas
Family: Callichthyidae

Overview

This spotted cory is a peaceful shoaler that should be kept in a group of at least six. It works the sandy bottom with its barbels and settles in with small, calm community fish that leave the floor clear at feeding time. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm and daphnia, and a little wafer, making sure the food reaches the substrate. A group is comfortable in a tank of around 60 liters or larger with soft sand to forage over.

In the wild

Corydoras melanistius is native to the Guianas, living over sand in warm, soft, slightly acidic rivers and streams. Recreate that with a soft sand bed, driftwood, dried leaves, and shaded planting, using clean, gently moving water. Keep the temperature between 22 and 26 C and the pH from about 6.0 to 7.5, with regular water changes to keep it comfortable.

Good to know

This armored catfish of the family Callichthyidae reaches about 5.5 cm. Its name melanistius refers to its dark markings: a black band through the eye and a dark shoulder patch behind the head, over a pale, finely spotted body. Two rows of bony scutes armor each flank. It has been spawned in aquaria but is rated difficult, needing soft, clean water and well conditioned adults to trigger breeding.

Did you know

The name melanistius points to this fish's dark trademarks: a bold black bar masking the eye and a sooty blotch across the shoulder, both standing out against a pale, lightly freckled body.