Agassiz's Cory Catfish

Scientific Name

Corydoras agassizii

Common Names

• Agassizi Cory
• Agassiz’s Armored Catfish

Physical Appearance

• Size: Grows up to 2.5 inches (6–6.5 cm).
• Coloration:
  • Light silver or cream-colored body.
  • A bold, dark stripe runs horizontally from the snout through the tail.
  • Subtle golden or bronze sheen on the upper body in the right lighting.
• Body Shape: Typical armored catfish body with a slightly flattened underside and a row of bony plates.

Lifespan

• Typically, 5–8 years with good care.

Temperament and Behavior

• Nature: Peaceful, social, and active.
• Group Dynamics: Best kept in schools of 5–6 or more to encourage natural behaviors.
• Activity Level: Active during the day, particularly in the mornings and evenings.
• Role in Tank: Scavengers that help keep the substrate clean.

Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 20 gallons for a small group.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
  • pH: 6.0–7.5
  • Hardness: 2–12 dGH
• Substrate: Fine sand or smooth gravel to protect their delicate barbels.
• Plants and Decorations:
  • Live plants and driftwood for hiding spots.
  • Open areas for swimming and foraging.
• Filtration: Moderate flow with clean, well-oxygenated water.

Diet

• Type: Omnivorous.
• Food:
  • Sinking pellets or wafers as the main diet.
  • Supplemental live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and tubifex worms.
  • Occasional blanched vegetables, such as zucchini or spinach.

Compatibility

• Good Tank Mates:
  • Peaceful species like tetras, rasboras, guppies, and other small corydoras.
  • Shrimp and snails.
• Avoid: Aggressive or large predatory species like cichlids.

Care Level

• Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
• Maintenance:
  • Weekly water changes (20–30%).
  • Clean substrate to prevent infections in their barbels.

Breeding

• Reproduction: Egg layers.
• Setup:
  • Breeding tank with slightly acidic, soft water and fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.
  • Condition fish with a protein-rich diet.
• Process:
  • Males chase females, who lay eggs on smooth surfaces like plants, glass, or decorations.
  • Remove adults post-spawning to protect the eggs.
• Incubation: Eggs hatch in 4–5 days. Fry should be fed infusoria or finely crushed flakes initially.

Interesting Facts

1. Origins: Found in rivers and streams across the Amazon Basin in Brazil and Peru.
2. Social Behavior: Highly interactive with their group, often seen exploring or foraging together.
3. Barbel Safety: Requires smooth substrate to avoid barbel injuries, a common concern for bottom-dwelling corydoras.