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Volcano cory

Osteogaster hephaestus

Also known as Corydoras hephaestus, Red Devil cory, Fireball Cory

FreshwaterFish
Volcano cory (Osteogaster hephaestus)
The Wet Spot Tropical Fish · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F (24–28°C)
pH
5.8–7.2
Adult size
1.6 in (4 cm)
Minimum tank
15 gal (55 L)
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Shoaling
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Origin
Rio Machado drainage, Rondonia, Brazil
Family
Callichthyidae

Overview

A shoal of six or more in 55 liters over sand shows it best; males glow strongest kept in groups with a few females. It takes fine sinking granules and small frozen foods. Breeding resembles a warm-water aeneus at miniature scale, with eggs placed on glass and plants after fresh water changes, though reports are still few.

In the wild

The volcano cory comes from small forest streams in the Rio Machado drainage of Rondonia, Brazil, over sand and litter in warm, soft water. It is a small, active shoaler. Keep it at 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, pH 5.8 to 7.2, on fine sand with leaves, wood, and gentle flow.

Good to know

Described in 2016 by Ohara, Tencatt and Britto, this little cory of about 4 centimeters is named for Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire and the forge, for the ember-orange blaze breeding males carry on the body. The 2024 revision places it in Osteogaster, the aeneus lineage, which its rounded snout and build reflect.

Did you know

Breeding males smolder ember-orange along the body, which is how a four-centimeter catfish ended up named after the god of the forge.

Tank mates

Volcano cory is a peaceful, shoaling species that keeps to the bottom. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Volcano cory need?

A Volcano cory needs at least 15 gal (55 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH do Volcano cory need?

Volcano cory are comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 5.8–7.2.

How big do Volcano cory get?

An adult Volcano cory reaches about 1.6 in (4 cm).

Do Volcano cory need a group?

Yes. Volcano cory are a shoaling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

Where to buy

Some links may not be the exact species or variety.

…or ask your local fish store.

Appears in

Freshwater fish · Corydoras · Schooling fish · Community fish · Bottom dwellers

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