Solox Corydoras
Corydoras solox
Robust long-snouted callichthyid from north-eastern Brazil. Splendid pearly/metallic body traversed horizontally by two large fragmented or continuous bands of intense black.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
5.5 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
6.5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 100 L
Minimum group
>= 6
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
35 - 250 ppm
Conductivity
55 - 391 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Originating from the Oyapock River basin, on the border between Brazil and French Guiana. Inhabits slow, wide rivers flowing through primary forests, on sandy bottoms covered with fine mud and wood.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Solox Corydoras (Corydoras solox). Large and spectacular species belonging to the "very long-snouted" Corydoras lineage. Shares the banded pattern with C. amapaensis. Easily reaches 6.5 cm (2.5 inches).
Social Behavior: Despite its size and "trunk-like" snout, it is a shy and peaceful animal. It is highly gregarious: a group of 6-8 individuals will forage together by sinking their long noses almost entirely into the sand to unearth worms.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Grayish-cream base coloration, interrupted by a conspicuous and wide black band running from the anterior end of the dorsal fin to the caudal peduncle, plus a dark blindfold over the eyes. Females are corpulent.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Large tank (minimum 100 cm / 40 inches). Fine sand mandatory to protect the very delicate long snout. Set up the bottom with bogwood roots, intricate Manzanita branches, and scattered Indian almond (Catappa) leaves.
Diet and Feeding: Extraordinary benthic hunter. Uses its snout to dig deeply: it is crucial to provide live/frozen bloodworms, tubifex, and blackworms, as well as high-quality protein pellets that sink rapidly.
Water Quality: Needs excellent substrate and water hygiene. Keep the water soft and acidic (pH 5.5-7.2) and avoid drastic spikes in pollutants. An oversized filter with moderate surface current is ideal.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Quiet and harmless. Excellent companion for fish from the Oyapock basin or similar: small Loricariids, non-aggressive Characins, and South American dwarf Cichlids. Frenetic bottom fish should be avoided.
Aquarium Breeding: Difficult to breed in captivity. Follows the temperature drop protocol. Long-snouted parents are known to be avid devourers of their own eggs if they are not promptly removed from the spawning tank.
Risks and Diseases: Extremely susceptible to damage to the rostrum: sharp gravel is a death sentence. Wounds to the long snout become infected rapidly (Flexibacter) leading to tissue degeneration.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Originating from the Oyapock River basin, on the border between Brazil and French Guiana. Inhabits slow, wide rivers flowing through primary forests, on sandy bottoms covered with fine mud and wood.
Origin
Tropical oceans and reefsAmazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Corydoras solox is exceptionally peaceful and highly social in nature. They must be kept in groups of at least six individuals to thrive. In proper schools, they are confident and constantly active across the bottom.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- The diet of Corydoras solox primarily features benthic organisms and small detritus. In captivity, they eagerly eat sinking pellets and high-quality bottom-feeder wafers. Live foods like bloodworms and daphnia should be offered for optimal health.
- Life expectancy
- 5-10 years
- The Solox Corydoras has a lifespan of 5 to 10 years under optimal care in a home aquarium. To support their long-term health, maintaining stable water conditions and a high level of bottom hygiene is essential. A soft sand substrate is necessary to protect their barbels and ensure they do not suffer from bacterial infections.
- Adult size
- 6.5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 6.5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6.25 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Corydoras solox (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
- Specific M:F ratio
- A specific sex ratio is unnecessary for the general community keeping of Corydoras solox. For dedicated breeding, a ratio of two males per female is optimal. Females are visibly rounder and broader, while males are slender.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- It is recommended to feed Corydoras solox one or two times daily in moderate portions. Ensure the food reaches the substrate before mid-water fish consume it all. Feeding just before lights out helps them forage peacefully without stress.
- Bioload
- The bioload of Corydoras solox is relatively low compared to larger tank mates. Since they are schooling fish, their combined waste can accumulate over time. Consistent filtration and weekly water changes are necessary for maintaining clean water.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- Corydoras solox prefers a moderate water flow that replicates gentle Amazonian streams. This circulation thoroughly oxygenates the water and prevents detritus accumulation. Calm resting zones should also be provided for relaxation.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras solox in an aquarium is highly achievable with proper conditioning. Spawning is typically triggered by a large, slightly cooler water change. The female then deposits adhesive eggs on aquarium glass or broad plant leaves.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- In terms of compatibility, Corydoras solox is extremely peaceful and ideal for community setups. They coexist perfectly with small tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. Large, aggressive bottom-dwellers must be avoided to prevent undue competition.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- As obligate bottom-dwellers, Corydoras solox spends the vast majority of its time on the substrate. They constantly search for food by sifting fine sand with their sensitive barbels. They occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 3 ± 0.3 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.
