Pavanelli's Corydoras
Corydoras pavanelliae
A tiny Brazilian Corydoras. On the pale sandy livery stands out a characteristic pattern of brown patches that merge along the lateral line and a golden nuance on the operculum.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
5.5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 80 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
50 - 280 ppm
Conductivity
78 - 438 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Found in Brazil in the Rio Corumbatai basin (State of Paraná). Populates watercourses with moderately rapid, clear or amber waters, characterized by very fine sand bottoms interrupted by thick carpets of muddy branches and rounded rocks.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Moderately compact member of the Callichthyidae family (5.5 cm / 2.2 inches). Presents the typical hydrodynamic and shielded profile, belongs to the standard/short snout morphological group and shares morphological similarities with the C. nattereri group.
Social Behavior: Peaceful and hardworking gregariousness. Untying it from its school (minimum 6-8 members) means witnessing an inexorable lethargy. Cohesive in the group, it undertakes constant scraping of the soil in a frantic search for benthic invertebrates.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Elegant and discreet: olive-gray body on a silvery base, characterized by a distinct and straight longitudinal black line that cleaves the entire flank in "nattereri" style. Mature females clearly recognizable by the paunchy circular silhouette against the straight male profile.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Repudiates coarse and sharp-grained substrates. Prepare massive expanses of very fine river sand. Provide a strong oxygenation through light water currents and abundant shading (woods or Catappa) so as not to stress its sight.
Diet and Feeding: Voracious nocturnal micro-digger. Bottom tablets and specific granules prove sufficient only if integrated by abundant and regular weekly administrations of live baits: red bloodworms, daphnia, sunken tubifex and brine shrimp nauplii.
Water Quality: Typical values of temperate and neo-tropical areas: Temperature 22-26°C (72-79°F), pH oriented between 6.0 and 7.2. The water must be slightly hard (GH 2-12). Constantly siphon the bottom as the fish collapses and dies if nitrates exceed the warning threshold.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Superb specimen for placid mixed communities. Lives admirably with small Tetras (Neons, Rummy nose) or docile dwarf Cichlids (Apistogramma, Laetacara). Banned crosses with voracious Loaches or aggressive Central American Cichlids.
Aquarium Breeding: Rarely documented, obtained by mimicking violent cold thermal shocks and artificial RO rains. Standard mating in T-position. The breeders, if not separated on the fly, will swallow almost completely their small and precious adhesive brood.
Risks and Diseases: Very high sensitivity to common antiparasitic drugs (Copper, Formalin, Malachite green) to be used always in halved doses. Sharp gravels cause the progressive mutilation of the whiskers and the onset of incurable fungal pathologies in the mouth.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Found in Brazil in the Rio Corumbatai basin (State of Paraná). Populates watercourses with moderately rapid, clear or amber waters, characterized by very fine sand bottoms interrupted by thick carpets of muddy branches and rounded rocks.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsExtra-Amazon South America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Corydoras pavanelliae is exceedingly peaceful and sociable, making them a favorite among community tank enthusiasts. They show absolutely no aggression towards other fish species and prefer to go about their daily foraging undisturbed. They are highly gregarious and derive comfort from the presence of their own kind, frequently resting and moving together as a unified group. Isolation can cause them immense stress, resulting in hiding and refusing to eat.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Corydoras pavanelliae are omnivorous bottom feeders that require a varied diet to thrive in captivity. A high-quality sinking pellet or wafer specifically formulated for bottom dwellers should form the staple of their daily meals. They also greatly benefit from regular offerings of live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp. It is important to ensure that food reaches the bottom before being consumed by mid-water fish so they do not go hungry.
- Life expectancy
- 5-8 years
- In captivity, Pavanelli's Cory typically has a lifespan of 5 to 8 years when housed in stable, well-maintained conditions. Their longevity is closely linked to water quality, requiring low nitrates, a clean substrate, and proper oxygenation. Providing a balanced diet rich in proteins and keeping them in a stress-free environment also play major roles in extending their life. Poor tank maintenance or keeping them on sharp substrates can lead to barbel erosion and infections, which significantly shortens 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 4.51 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Corydoras pavanelliae (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
- A recommended sex ratio for Corydoras pavanelliae, especially if breeding is desired, is two or three males for every female. This mimics their natural breeding groups and increases the chances of successful fertilization of the eggs. In a standard display tank, exact ratios are less critical as long as they are kept in a sufficiently large shoal of six or more. Having more males ensures that the female is constantly courted during the breeding cycle.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Feeding Corydoras pavanelliae one or two times a day is generally sufficient to maintain their health and vitality. Care should be taken to provide only what they can actively consume within three to five minutes to prevent water fouling. If kept in a community setup with aggressive surface feeders, it may be beneficial to feed them after lights out. Observing their belly fullness can help determine if the feeding frequency and amounts are appropriate.
- Bioload
- Corydoras pavanelliae produces a moderate bioload, making them excellent candidates for community tanks. Their efficient scavenging habits actually help maintain water quality by consuming uneaten food that would otherwise decay. Despite their modest size, a school of six or more does contribute somewhat to the tank's waste output. Regular water changes and adequate filtration are still necessary to keep the bioload manageable and nitrate levels low.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- This species prefers gentle to moderate water flow that mimics the slow-moving streams and tributaries of various South American river basins. Excessive flow can cause unnecessary stress and fatigue, as they are not built for constant swimming against strong currents. A well-placed sponge filter or a canister filter with a spray bar can provide the ideal balance of filtration and gentle water movement. Oxygenation remains important, so ensuring surface agitation without overpowering the bottom areas is key.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras pavanelliae can be achieved in a dedicated breeding setup with cool water changes used to trigger spawning behavior. The females are typically larger and more robust, scattering adhesive eggs onto broad-leaved plants, aquarium glass, or spawning mops. Once spawning is complete, the adult fish should be removed to prevent them from eating the eggs. The fry hatch after a few days and require very small live foods like microworms or freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- These peaceful catfish are highly compatible with a wide variety of community fish. They do exceptionally well with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids that inhabit the middle and upper levels of the aquarium. Aggressive or large bottom-dwelling species should be avoided as they may bully the Corydoras pavanelliae or outcompete them for food. Keeping them in groups of at least six of their own kind is vital for their sense of security.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Corydoras pavanelliae are strictly bottom dwellers, spending almost the entirety of their day sifting through the substrate in search of food. They require a soft, sandy substrate to prevent damage to their delicate barbels, which are essential for sensing their environment. While they occasionally dart to the surface to take in a breath of atmospheric air, they immediately return to the bottom. Decor elements like caves, driftwood, and low-lying plants provide them with much-needed resting spots.
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 = 0.02455, b = 3
- 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.
