Encyclopaedia
Pantanal cory
Corydoras pantanalensis
A Corydoras from the Pantanal wetlands (Bolivia and Brazil) with a brilliant reticulated pattern particularly pronounced in mature males — like a golden net on a light background. A relatively rare trade species prized by collectors for its pattern beauty and lively social behavior. Like all Corydoras, it is an armored, scaleless fish that sifts substrate and breathes atmospheric air. Breeding accessible with the classic seasonal simulation method.
- Family
- Callichthyidae
- Origin
- Bolivien
- Origin
- Extra-Amazon South America
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
22 °C - 28 °C
6 - 7.5
Freshwater
Bottom
7.5 cm
Description
Geographic Origin and Biotope: Endemic to the Pantanal in Brazil and Bolivia. One of the largest wetlands in the world, characterized by vast seasonal floods with clear waters and dense aquatic vegetation (e.g. Echinodorus).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Pantanal Corydoras (Corydoras pantanalensis). Large Corydoras (up to 8 cm / 3.1 inches). Belongs to the elegans group because of its frequent mid-water swimming, despite its much larger size.
Social Behavior: Gregarious, peaceful, bold. Swims constantly up and down among the large leaves of the plants, exploring the environment more than other strictly bottom-dwelling Corydoras species.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The male sports an impressive black/brown reticulation on an iridescent green/gold background. When breeding, males develop a strong dimorphism: the reticulation intensifies becoming spectacular. Females are grayer and massive.
Care and observations
Aquarium Setup: Requires large aquariums (minimum 100 cm / 40 inches). A dense layout of large aquatic plants, fine sand on the bottom and good filtration simulating the slow turnover of the Pantanal are essential.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous scavenger with high calorie consumption. Feed with top brand bottom fish pellets, bloodworms, daphnia, live or frozen tubifex. A pinch of food a day is not enough.
Water Quality: Tolerates neutral water and temperatures up to 28°C / 82°F well (the Pantanal being a hot and unshaded region). However, it does not tolerate high pollution loads on the bottom.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Spectacular in community tanks dedicated to the Pantanal: together with Hyphessobrycon eques (Serpae Tetra), Aphyocharax, and Cichlids like Geophagus or Apistogramma borellii.
Aquarium Reproduction: Reproduction linked to flood simulation (temperature drop, strong increase in filter flow). Highly territorial males in this phase challenge each other for females.
Risks and Diseases: Death by starvation if kept in tanks with very fast feeding competitors. Can jump out of the tank if frightened (lid mandatory).
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Estremamente pacifico e gregario. Tenere in gruppi di almeno 6
- Diet
- Onnivoro da fondo: pellet e wafer affondanti, artemia, chironomus, dafnia vivi o surgelati. Mangiatore lento: alimentazione mirata necessaria
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Minimum group
- 6
- Adult size
- 7.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 75 L
- GH
- 2 dGH - 15 dGH
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Feeding frequency
- 1–2 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Low
- Flow
- Corrente debole a moderata
- Reproduction
- Metodo classico dei Corydoras: condizionare con cibo proteico, poi grandi cambi d'acqua freschi (50%+) per simulare la stagione delle piogge. Uova deposte su superfici solide. Filtro a spugna nella vasca di allevamento. Avannotti: micro-vermi, poi nauplii di artemia.
- Compatibility
- Eccellente per comunità con tetra, rasbore, ciclidi nani. Evitare pesci aggressivi.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.