Pale Cory
Corydoras flaveolus
A small coastal Brazilian species featuring a delicate yellowish-brown body densely netted with dark lines. It is a peaceful bottom dweller requiring fine sand and shaded cover.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 80 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
3 - 10 dKH
TDS
60 - 280 ppm
Conductivity
94 - 438 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Tietê River basin (part of the Paraná system) in Brazil. Finds its ideal habitat in clear water marginal streams with moderate flow, often shaded, with very fine sand substrate.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Medium-sized Corydoras (5 cm / 2 inches), characterized by a short, round snout profile and a massive bone structure. Shares close phenotypic similarities with other "marbled" Corydoras species like C. paleatus.
Social Behavior: Extremely peaceful, harmless towards any tankmate. Strongly gregarious: must be kept in schools of at least 6-8 individuals. In the absence of sufficient companions, it tends to become sad and hide all day.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Yellowish or pale base (hence "flaveolus"), densely covered with irregular spots or dark brown reticulations that never merge into true bands. Females visibly wider, taller, and bulkier than adult males.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Tank preferably developed horizontally, exclusive substrate of non-abrasive fine sand (e.g. silica sand). Furnish with smooth rocks and branched driftwood to provide multiple shady shelters. Useful planting with Echinodorus.
Diet and Feeding: Bottom omnivore. Sinking granules specific for siluriformes are indispensable, supplemented thrice-weekly with live or frozen baits such as Daphnia, Bloodworms, and Brine shrimp. It does not feed only on the feces or algae of other fish.
Water Quality: Tolerates the classic temperature range (22-26°C / 72-79°F). Soft to moderate hardness (GH 2-12). pH between 6.0 and 7.2. Bottom water must be kept free of high nitrates via regular superficial siphoning.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent guest for a South American community aquarium. Pair it with peaceful species that occupy the middle-upper part of the tank, such as Tetras (Neons) or small Danios. Never pair with aggressive digging cichlids.
Aquarium Breeding: Obtained following classic methods: conspicuous thermal drops simulating the arrival of rains and intensive live protein diet. Viscous eggs are released in T-position against glass or plants and must be defended from the voracity of the parents themselves.
Risks and Diseases: The deterioration of the barbels due to overly granular substrates condemns it to a slow death. Sensitive to cutaneous bacteriosis on dirty substrates and to medical treatments based on Copper Sulfate.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the Tietê River basin (part of the Paraná system) in Brazil. Finds its ideal habitat in clear water marginal streams with moderate flow, often shaded, with very fine sand substrate.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Corydoras flaveolus is incredibly peaceful, sociable, and somewhat shy when kept individually. They are an obligate schooling fish that absolutely requires the company of their own kind to feel secure and behave naturally. When kept in groups of at least six, they become active and highly entertaining as they constantly interact with one another. If kept alone or in inadequate numbers, they will likely become stressed, reclusive, and more susceptible to disease. They show zero aggression towards other tank inhabitants and are a model citizen for any peaceful community aquarium.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- In the wild, Corydoras flaveolus is a micro-predator and scavenger, feeding on tiny worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of sinking foods such as high-quality pellets, wafers, and granules. It is essential to supplement their diet with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, Daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and coloration. Because they are bottom feeders, you must ensure that enough food reaches the substrate before being consumed by mid-water fish. A varied diet prevents nutritional deficiencies and promotes a robust immune system.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- This Brazilian coastal species has an average life expectancy ranging from 3 to 5 years in the aquarium when properly cared for. Consistent water quality and the absence of nitrates are essential to promote their long-term health. A soft substrate prevents barbel injuries that could significantly shorten their lifespan.
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 3.82 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Corydoras flaveolus (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
- Group
- For Corydoras flaveolus, maintaining a specific strict sex ratio is not strictly necessary for general community keeping, as they do not exhibit aggressive territorial behavior towards each other. However, if breeding is the primary goal, a ratio of two or three males for every single female is strongly recommended. This higher male-to-female ratio encourages competitive courtship and generally results in a higher fertilization rate for the eggs. In a standard display tank, simply ensuring they are in a suitably sized group of six or more individuals is more important than the exact gender makeup. Females are typically noticeably rounder and broader when viewed from above, especially when full of eggs.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed Corydoras flaveolus small portions one to two times a day. They have relatively small stomachs, so multiple small meals are much better than a single large one. Observe their feeding behavior carefully; all offered food should be consumed within roughly two to three minutes. If there is uneaten food left on the substrate, reduce the portion size during the next feeding. Foraging is a natural behavior, so spreading the food slightly can encourage natural scavenging activity.
- Bioload
- The bioload of Corydoras flaveolus is generally considered to be quite low compared to larger freshwater fish. They are small, efficient scavengers that do not produce excessive amounts of waste in the aquarium. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality. Overfeeding can quickly spike ammonia, so moderation is key.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- As a species that often inhabits slow-moving to moderately flowing streams in South America, Corydoras flaveolus appreciates gentle to moderate water circulation. They do not fare well in highly turbulent environments where they must constantly struggle against strong currents. Providing areas of calmer water, especially near the bottom where they spend most of their time, is important for their rest. The filter return should provide adequate oxygenation without turning the tank into a whirlpool. Natural river stones and driftwood can be used to break the flow and create comfortable resting zones.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras flaveolus in captivity is entirely possible but requires some dedicated preparation and conditioning. They are egg scatterers, typically laying their adhesive eggs on broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or smooth stones after a lively courtship display. To trigger spawning, aquarists often perform a large, slightly cooler water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in their natural habitat. Once eggs are laid, the parents may eat them, so it is often necessary to remove the eggs or the adult fish to a separate rearing tank. The fry are quite small and require infusoria or finely powdered foods before graduating to freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Corydoras flaveolus is an extremely peaceful community fish that thrives in the company of other calm species. They should never be housed with large, aggressive, or highly active bottom-dwellers that might outcompete them for food or nip at their fins. Ideal tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, peaceful dwarf cichlids, and other similarly sized peaceful fish. Keeping them with small freshwater shrimp is usually safe, though tiny shrimplets might occasionally be eaten. Their peaceful nature makes them an excellent addition to almost any tranquil community setup.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Like the vast majority of its relatives, Corydoras flaveolus is a dedicated bottom-dwelling fish that spends most of its time resting or foraging on the substrate. They use their sensitive barbels to constantly sift through sand or fine gravel in search of edible morsels. Providing a soft, sandy substrate is crucial to prevent their delicate barbels from wearing down or becoming infected. While they do occasionally dart to the water surface to gulp air, they will immediately return to the lower levels of the tank. Ensure there is plenty of open swimming space along the bottom alongside shaded resting areas under plants or driftwood.
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.
