Weitzman's cory

Corydoras weitzmani

Also known as Two-saddle cory

FreshwaterFish

Weitzman's cory (Corydoras weitzmani) — NasserHalaweh · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Adult size: 2.4 in (6 cm)
Minimum tank: 20 gal (75 L)
Temperament: Peaceful
Social behavior: Schooling
Swim level: Bottom
Difficulty: Medium
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Origin: Rio Madre de Dios drainage, southern Peru (Amazon basin)
Family: Callichthyidae

Overview

Keep them in a group of at least six, and eight or more is better, or they turn shy and stressed. They are peaceful and spend their time foraging along the bottom in a tank of 75 liters or larger. Hold the temperature between 22 and 26 C, since long spells above about 27 C wear on them, and keep the pH from 6 to 7.5 in soft water. They are sensitive to nitrate, so do regular partial water changes and keep the substrate clean. Feed sinking pellets, frozen foods, and the occasional live treat that reaches the bottom.

In the wild

Weitzman's cory comes from the Rio Madre de Dios drainage in southern Peru, part of the upper Amazon basin. These are soft, slightly acidic to neutral streams that run a touch cooler than typical tropical water. Give them a tank of at least 75 liters with a fine sand bottom, or very smooth fine gravel at most, since sharp substrate wears down their delicate barbels. Keep the temperature in the 22 to 26 C range and the pH between 6 and 7.5, with soft water and some shade from plants or driftwood.

Good to know

This is a bottom-dwelling catfish in the family Callichthyidae, listed under Corydoras weitzmani and now also placed in the genus Hoplisoma. Adults reach about 6 cm, with females a little larger than males. Like other Corydoras, they gulp air at the surface and pass it through their gut to absorb oxygen, so leave a small air gap above the waterline. They are egg layers, and dedicated keepers breed them with patience.

Did you know

This one earned a reputation as a holy grail cory among collectors. For years it was rare and hard to find in the trade, since wild stock barely turned up, but committed breeders have since worked out how to spawn it at home. Cooler water around 22 C and very soft, near neutral conditions help trigger spawning.