Agassiz's Corydoras

Geographic Origin and Biotope: Amazon River basin (Peru, Brazil). Inhabits small forest tributaries with light sand bottoms and abundant decaying leaf litter, in moderately flowing waters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Agassiz's Corydoras (Corydoras agassizii). Often confused in the trade with C. punctatus or C. ambiacus. Has a blunt snout profile and typical overlapping bony plates.

Social Behavior: Lively and peaceful, highly gregarious. Lives in large schools, tirelessly patrolling the substrate in search of food. In groups of less than 6 individuals, it becomes shy and hides constantly.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery-olive body covered by a dense network of black spots, with a conspicuous black spot on the dorsal fin and a dark mask over the eye. Females are more robust and wider, males more slender.

Aquarium Setup: Aquarium of at least 80 cm (32 inches), with STRICTLY fine sand bottom to protect the delicate barbels. Add twisted wood, catappa leaves and shaded areas created by floating plants or large Echinodorus leaves.

Diet and Feeding: Benthic omnivorous micro-predator. Does not feed on scraps: requires specific sinking pellets for bottom fish, frozen bloodworms, tubifex and brine shrimp. The diet must be varied.

Water Quality: Requires clean, well-oxygenated water with very low nitrates (being a bottom-dwelling fish). Tolerates soft and slightly acidic waters, but is sensitive to the accumulation of organic pollutants in the substrate.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Perfect for Amazonian community aquariums with Characins (Tetras), dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma, although they may chase them away during breeding) and other peaceful Loricariids. Do not pair with large or aggressive fish.

Aquarium Reproduction: Reproduction stimulated by large cool water changes. The female lays adhesive eggs (often on the glass or under broad leaves) after fertilization in a "T-position" with the male. Remove parents after spawning.

Risks and Diseases: Very susceptible to bacterial infections of the barbels if the bottom is sharp (gravel) or dirty (accumulation of anaerobic bacteria). Can release toxins if severely stressed.