Xingu Cory
Corydoras xinguensis
A tiny spotted gem from the warm Rio Xingu covered tightly in uniform dark polka dots over a sand-colored base. It is an active rooter demanding open fine-sand spaces and broad leaf cover.
Water Temperature
22 - 26 °C
pH Value
6 - 7.2
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom
Adult size
4.5 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 100 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: Endemic to the endless Rio Xingu basin, in Brazil. Its schools populate shady shoals of streams, oxbows, or forest torrents with mild current, stationed on thick mounds of soft and very fine mud mixed with decaying plant remains.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Small and seductive Corydoras (maximum 4.5 cm / 1.8 inches) of the Callichthyidae family. Possesses the classic proportions of a "short-snouted" cory, very stocky, round, and with a compact profile, designed to stubbornly inspect the sediments.
Social Behavior: Intimately gregarious and serene. If deprived of the indispensable support school (6-8 specimens) it will live in reluctance and lose its appetite. In its flock, it fearlessly patrols the low prairies patrolling the sand in unison in search of food.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Peculiar minutely leopard/spotted livery: silvery base and head/back studded with very dense, very small round black spots. There is no dot (spot) on the dorsal fin. Females stand out to the naked eye for their visibly enlarged abdominal diameter.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Being an unstoppable rooter it categorically needs single bottoms of very soft inert sand. Loves wide open digging spaces but surrounded by labyrinthine shading Jati/bog woods with large leaves (Catappa) as an optical shield.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous benthic micro-digger. A predominantly evening diet is recommended: split high-quality tablets must be combined with vital snacks (tri-weekly) of succulent baits such as daphnia, cyclops, microworms, or live nauplii.
Water Quality: Stable climatic standards at 22-26°C (72-79°F). The pH parameter must settle between weakly acidic and neutral (6.0 - 7.2) with soft GH (2-12). As a dwarf, chemical intolerance is high: failure to siphon or nitrite spikes cause lightning-fast bacterial death.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Docile bottom sheep to be used only together with ethereal roommates (Nannostomus, Boraras, small slow Tetras, or Otocinclus). Defenseless and designated victim if placed in large biotopes inhabited by fierce Cichlids or very voracious diggers.
Aquarium Breeding: Spawning often follows conspicuous osmotic refreshments induced by the breeder in special tanks. Followed by the tight "T" mating with the gluing to the glass of single robust adhesive eggs. Isolate the brood because of the cruel parental cannibalism.
Risks and Diseases: Its very short and delicate tactile barbels lethally regress to necrosis if housed on unsuitable stony bottoms. Marked intolerance and lethality with massive antiparasitics in the tank (Malachite Green, Copper).
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the endless Rio Xingu basin, in Brazil. Its schools populate shady shoals of streams, oxbows, or forest torrents with mild current, stationed on thick mounds of soft and very fine mud mixed with decaying plant remains.
Origin
Extra-Amazon South America
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- This is an incredibly peaceful and timid species that thrives in the company of its own kind. Corydoras xinguensis should be kept in groups of at least six individuals to feel secure and display their natural, endearing behaviors. When kept alone or in too small a group, they can become highly stressed, lethargic, and prone to illness.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- As omnivorous bottom feeders, Corydoras xinguensis requires a varied diet that sinks to the substrate. High-quality sinking pellets or wafers should form the staple of their diet. Supplementing with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia will ensure optimal health and encourage natural foraging behaviors.
- Life expectancy
- 5-10 years
- The Xingu Corydoras has an average lifespan ranging between 5 and 10 years when housed in well-established and regularly maintained aquariums. Its longevity is strongly influenced by water quality and substrate texture, which must not damage its delicate sensory barbels. Careful management of water temperature and organic load ensures a long and healthy life for this fish.
- Adult size
- 4.5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 4.5 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 3.7 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Corydoras xinguensis (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 ratio of two or three males for every female is highly recommended, especially if breeding Corydoras xinguensis is the goal. Males are generally smaller and more slender than the plumper, rounder females. Maintaining a proper sex ratio ensures higher fertilization rates during the spawning process.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- Corydoras xinguensis should be fed small amounts once or twice a day, providing only what they can consume within a few minutes. Because they are nocturnal foragers by nature, dropping some food in just before the aquarium lights go out can be highly beneficial. Avoid overfeeding to maintain excellent water quality.
- Bioload
- This species produces a relatively small bioload, typical of most Corydoras xinguensis species. Their efficient scavenging behavior can actually help keep the substrate clean, reducing the overall accumulation of detritus. Regular water changes and a properly sized filter will easily manage the waste they produce.
- Flow
- Stagnant
- These catfish prefer moderate water flow that provides adequate oxygenation without creating overpowering currents. A setup that mimics a slow-moving South American stream is ideal for Corydoras xinguensis. Ensure there are calmer resting areas where they can settle on the substrate without expending too much energy.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras xinguensis in captivity can be achieved by simulating the onset of the rainy season with cooler water changes. The female will carry a few eggs in a pouch formed by her pelvic fins and deposit them on broad leaves or the aquarium glass. The parents exhibit no parental care and will eagerly consume the eggs if not separated.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Corydoras xinguensis is a peaceful and highly sociable schooling fish that makes an excellent addition to community aquariums. They do best when kept with other small, non-aggressive species such as tetras, rasboras, and dwarf cichlids. It is crucial to avoid housing them with large or aggressive bottom-dwellers that might outcompete them for food or stress them out.
- Tank level
- Bottom
- Like other Corydoras, Corydoras xinguensis are quintessential bottom dwellers, spending almost all of their time sifting through the substrate in search of food. They require a soft, sandy bottom to prevent damage to their sensitive barbels. Occasionally, they will make quick dashes to the surface to take in atmospheric air, a completely normal behavior.
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.
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