Loxo Cory
Corydoras loxozonus
The 'Loxo Cory' (5 cm). An exquisitely patterned species, related to C. melini, but characterized by a light livery dotted with dense black mottling and the unmistakable oblique black band on the back. Very active but requires excellent water quality.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 60 L
Minimum group
6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
40 - 240 ppm
Conductivity
63 - 375 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Meta River basin (Colombia). Frequents slow-flowing streams and minor tributaries, often shaded by dense riparian vegetation, with soft sandy bottoms and leaf litter.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Loxozonus Cory (Corydoras loxozonus). Short-snouted Corydoras, belongs to a complex of very similar-looking species (like C. axelrodi and C. melini) from which it differs in the details of the black pattern.
Social Behavior: Extremely gregarious, should be kept in groups of at least 6 individuals. It is peaceful, very active in the search for food on the bottom and shows fascinating schooling dynamics if in sufficient numbers.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery/pinkish livery. It is characterized by a large oblique black stripe ("loxozonus" means "oblique band") that crosses the flank to the caudal peduncle, and by a black mask. Females more robust and swollen on the abdomen.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Minimum 60 cm (24 inches) aquarium. Imperatively requires very fine sand so as not to wear out the barbels. Intricate roots, floating vegetation and dry leaves on the bottom (Catappa) create its ideal habitat.
Diet and Feeding: Bottom omnivore. Seeks food by rummaging through the sand. Sinking tablet feeds, quality granules and frozen food (bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia) are essential for its well-being.
Water Quality: Sensitive, like many South American benthic fish, to nitrate accumulation and oxygen deficiency. Requires clear, well-filtered water, from soft to slightly acidic.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect for peaceful South American community tanks. They show no aggression and can coexist with small Characins, Otocinclus, and small Cichlids (as long as they are not too territorial on the bottom).
Aquarium Breeding: Females lay very sticky eggs on the aquarium glass, often in areas of greatest turbulence, or under broad leaves, after the typical "T-position" fertilization.
Risks and Diseases: Barbel infections caused by poor bottom hygiene (bacteria) or abrasions (gravel) are the main threat in captivity.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Meta River basin (Colombia). Frequents slow-flowing streams and minor tributaries, often shaded by dense riparian vegetation, with soft sandy bottoms and leaf litter.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South AmericaEast Asia
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Exhibiting an inherently peaceful and gregarious temperament, *Corydoras loxozonus* is completely non-aggressive toward its tank mates. They are highly social creatures that find security in numbers, making them playful and active when kept in a sufficient shoal. A lone individual will often become stressed, reclusive, and susceptible to disease. Their amiable disposition makes them one of the most endearing and universally beloved additions to any freshwater community setup.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are omnivorous bottom feeders that forage for small insects, worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of high-quality sinking pellets, wafers, and granules. It is highly recommended to supplement their diet with regular offerings of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and condition. Care should be taken to ensure that food reaches the bottom before being consumed by mid-water swimming fish.
- Life expectancy
- 3-5 years
- In captivity, this species can live on average between 3 and 5 years, though under optimal husbandry conditions they can reach up to 8 years. Proper management includes excellent substrate hygiene and regular water changes, which minimize stress and prevent bacterial infections. A rich and varied diet also plays a crucial role in the overall longevity of this small armored catfish.
- 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 4.9 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Corydoras loxozonus (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 general display purposes, the sex ratio is relatively unimportant as long as they are kept in a suitably sized group of at least six individuals. However, for those aiming to breed them, a ratio of two to three males for every single female often yields the best results. The increased number of males encourages competitive courtship and ensures higher fertilization rates during spawning. Identifying the sexes becomes easier as they mature, with females typically appearing significantly broader and rounder than the sleeker males.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- To maintain their energy levels and overall health, *Corydoras loxozonus* should be fed small amounts one to two times per day. It is important to only offer what they can completely consume within about three to five minutes to prevent water fouling. Overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and subsequent health issues, especially considering their bottom-dwelling nature. Observing their feeding behavior during meals can help adjust the portions to meet their specific metabolic needs.
- Bioload
- As a small benthic catfish, *Corydoras loxozonus* contributes a relatively low bioload to the aquarium ecosystem. They are efficient scavengers that help break down uneaten food, which slightly mitigates their own waste production. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload of the shoal should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality and prevent the accumulation of nitrates on the substrate.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- They naturally inhabit sluggish tributaries, floodplains, and pools with relatively gentle water movement. In the aquarium, they appreciate a moderate flow that provides good oxygenation without creating overwhelming currents. Harsh, direct water flow should be avoided as it can cause exhaustion and stress for these small fish. Providing areas of calmer water behind hardscape or plants allows them comfortable resting spots.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding *Corydoras loxozonus* involves simulating the rainy season through large, cooler water changes and feeding highly nutritious live foods. The female will gather eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins while the male fertilizes them. Following fertilization, the female carefully deposits the adhesive eggs onto broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or flat stones. Because the parents may consume their own eggs, it is best to rear the fry in a separate, dedicated breeding tank with meticulous water quality management.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- This species is exceptionally peaceful and makes an excellent addition to a community aquarium. They do not bother other fish and are perfectly safe to keep with small 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 delicate barbels. They thrive best when kept alongside other docile species that occupy the middle and upper levels of the water column.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- This species is a classic bottom dweller that spends the vast majority of its time resting on or foraging through the substrate. You will frequently observe them sifting through fine sand with their sensitive barbels in search of hidden morsels. Although they mostly remain at the lowest level of the aquarium, they will make periodic, lightning-fast dashes to the water surface to gulp air. Their predominantly benthic nature means they require plenty of uninterrupted swimming space along the tank floor.
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.
