Sands's Cory
Corydoras davidsandsi
Refined relative of C. adolfoi, it shares the same geographic origin and breathtaking coloration: golden nape, dark eye band, and a pronounced black trail on the back.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
5.5 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
5.5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 80 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 8 dKH
TDS
25 - 230 ppm
Conductivity
39 - 359 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Origin confined to the upper Rio Negro basin, particularly around the Rio Unini tributary (Brazil). Inhabits exclusive streams and oxbow lakes of pure black water, shaded by the flooded forest (Igapó).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Sands' Corydoras (Corydoras davidsandsi). Species belonging to the rounded and relatively short-snouted lineage. Often confused by beginners with C. adolfoi or C. burgessi, but distinguished by its broader markings and slightly stockier body.
Social Behavior: Very peaceful species, but surprisingly shy if kept in brightly lit tanks. It is essential to house at least 8-10 specimens together so they can exhibit their lively foraging behavior on the bottom.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Chromatic base from pinkish white to soft beige. Features two very prominent black stripes: a vertical "blindfold" over the eyes and a long, wide oblique dark band starting from the first dorsal spine to the tail. Females decidedly more massive.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: A dark setup (Blackwater) with peat, alder cones, and many intricate roots is essential. The sand must be of very fine grain size, without the slightest sharp edge. Adding floating plants will reduce stress.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivore with a preference for meaty benthic prey. Unable to eat floating food. Daily offer specific sinking granules for catfish, enriched with bloodworms and tubifex to keep them healthy.
Water Quality: Requires stringent parameters derived from the Rio Negro: very soft water (GH below 5 preferable) and acidic (pH 5.5-7.2). The substrate must be kept aseptically clean.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Magnificent community fish in Amazonian tanks dedicated to quiet species (Cardinals, Rummynose Tetras, small Loricariids, docile dwarf Cichlids like Mikrogeophagus). Larger predators will ingest them, choking on their dorsal spines.
Aquarium Breeding: Achieved by stimulating them with abundant live food and sudden temperature drops during water changes. They release large, highly adhesive eggs, attaching them to glass or decor in areas of highest current.
Risks and Diseases: Extremely prone to contracting fungi and barbel necrosis if placed in tanks with colored gravel or sharp quartz. Suffers from nitrogenous compounds, which quickly cause septicemic red spots on the belly.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Origin confined to the upper Rio Negro basin, particularly around the Rio Unini tributary (Brazil). Inhabits exclusive streams and oxbow lakes of pure black water, shaded by the flooded forest (Igapó).
Origin
Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Corydoras davidsandsi can only be described as completely peaceful and highly gregarious. They are a schooling fish by nature and absolutely must be kept in groups of at least six individuals of their own kind to feel secure. When kept in insufficient numbers, they will become extremely stressed, reclusive, and susceptible to disease. In a proper school, they are active, inquisitive, and highly entertaining to watch as they scurry around the bottom together like a busy little cleaning crew. They pose absolutely no threat to any other inhabitants in the aquarium.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- In the wild, Corydoras davidsandsi is a micro-predator and scavenger that sifts through the substrate for small insects, worms, and crustaceans. In the aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality sinking foods, including pellets, wafers, and granules designed for bottom feeders. To ensure optimal health and coloration, their diet should be supplemented with live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. They are not true algae eaters, so feeding them solely algae wafers is a common mistake that can lead to malnutrition. A varied diet will keep their immune system strong and encourage natural foraging behaviors.
- Life expectancy
- 5-10 years
- Corydoras davidsandsi has a lifespan of 5 to 10 years in captivity when provided with proper care. Maintaining stable water parameters and clean water is essential to prevent infections of their delicate barbels. A soft sandy substrate is crucial to ensure their physical health and prolong their lifespan.
- Adult size
- 5.5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 5.5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 4.4 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Corydoras davidsandsi (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- School
- When keeping Corydoras davidsandsi, the exact sex ratio is not strictly critical for their day-to-day well-being, as they do not exhibit aggression toward each other. However, if the goal is to breed them, a ratio of two or three males for every female is strongly recommended. This multiple-male approach increases the chances of successful fertilization during the spawning process. Females are typically larger and noticeably broader when viewed from above, especially when conditioned with high-quality foods. Maintaining a healthy, mixed-gender school allows for the observation of their fascinating natural social dynamics.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is generally recommended to feed Corydoras davidsandsi small amounts of food once or twice a day. The key is to provide only what the fish can completely consume within a few minutes to prevent uneaten food from rotting in the substrate. Because they are bottom feeders, you must ensure that enough food reaches the bottom before faster mid-water fish consume it all. If feeding twice a day, offering a staple sinking pellet in the morning and a frozen treat in the evening works exceptionally well. Observing their bellies can help you gauge if they are getting enough food; they should look gently rounded but not bloated.
- Bioload
- The bioload of Corydoras davidsandsi is relatively low to moderate, making them an excellent choice for a community aquarium. They do not produce excessive amounts of waste compared to larger or more predatory fish. However, because they are a schooling species and should be kept in groups, the cumulative bioload of the school must be accounted for when sizing the filtration system. Regular water changes and a properly cycled aquarium are still essential to maintain the high water quality they require. It is important to avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food will negatively impact the water parameters.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- Corydoras davidsandsi appreciates a moderate amount of water flow in the aquarium, simulating the gentle currents of their native South American streams. The flow should be strong enough to keep the water well-oxygenated and prevent detritus from settling on the bottom, but not so strong that the fish struggle to swim or rest. Using a standard hang-on-back or canister filter usually provides the perfect amount of water movement. They will often be seen actively swimming against the current for exercise, but they also need quiet resting areas among plants or hardscape. Providing a balance of moving water and still zones is the best approach to their habitat.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras davidsandsi in captivity is entirely possible and often highly rewarding for dedicated aquarists. They are egg scatterers, typically laying their adhesive eggs on broad-leaved plants, aquarium glass, or smooth stones after an elaborate courtship dance. To trigger spawning, aquarists often perform a large, cool water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in the Amazon basin. Once the eggs are laid, the parents provide no parental care and may even consume their own eggs if not removed. For the best survival rate, the eggs should be transferred to a separate rearing tank and the fry fed infusoria or freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Corydoras davidsandsi is incredibly peaceful and makes a fantastic addition to most community tanks. They get along well with other peaceful, similarly sized fish such as tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. It is crucial to avoid keeping them with large, aggressive, or predatory species that might view them as food or nip at their fins. They are also completely safe to keep with most ornamental snails and adult dwarf shrimp, although baby shrimp might occasionally be eaten. Their bottom-dwelling nature means they rarely compete for space with mid- or top-dwelling tank mates.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- As classic bottom-dwellers, Corydoras davidsandsi will spend nearly all of their time foraging and resting on the substrate. They use their sensitive barbels to meticulously search the sand or fine gravel for any edible morsels that have sunk to the bottom. While they are primarily benthic, it is completely normal to see them periodically make lightning-fast dashes to the water's surface to take a gulp of air. Aside from these quick trips to the top, they will almost never be found swimming in the middle or upper levels of the water column. Providing a large footprint with plenty of open bottom space is far more important than tank height.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3 ± 0.4 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (10 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
