Filament Cory
Corydoras filamentosus
An astonishing long-snouted Corydoras where dominant males develop a spectacular, whip-like dorsal fin extension. It requires fine sand and generous hiding spots among driftwood.
Temperatura da água
22 - 26 °C
Valor de pH
6 - 7.2
Tipo de água
Água doce
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior
Tamanho adulto
4,5 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 100 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 6
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 10 dKH
TDS
50 - 280 ppm
Condutividade
78 - 438 uS/cm
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Corantijn River basin in Suriname (South America). Inhabits slow, clear forest streams, on sandy bottoms partially covered by carpets of fallen leaves (leaf litter) in slow decomposition.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Of medium-small size, reaches a maximum of 4.5 cm (1.8 inches). The name "filamentosus" derives from an exclusive peculiarity of adult males: the dorsal fin has an extremely elongated first ray in the shape of a filament, which sometimes exceeds the height of the body.
Social Behavior: Strictly peaceful and social. To see it foraging serenely on the sand, it must be kept in schools of no less than 6 individuals. Extremely static if kept alone or in over-illuminated tanks without protective vegetation.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Dark beige-gray base color. Irregular black spots dot the head and flanks, with a black shading at the base of the dorsal. Dimorphism is striking: the male sports the filamentous extension of the dorsal, while the female lacks it, but appears much rounder and more massive.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Substrate imperatively in fine sand to preserve the short barbels. Requires abundant provision of hiding places created by branches (red moor wood), smooth rocks, and abundant vegetation (Cryptocoryne or ferns). The water should have medium surface currents.
Diet and Feeding: Hunter of benthic microfauna. A high-quality diet with carnivorous bottom wafers to be administered when the lights are off is indispensable, in combination with tiny live/frozen larvae (Daphnia, Brine shrimp, and Grindal worms).
Water Quality: Moderately delicate species if exposed to accumulation of nitrogenous compounds. Temperature 22-26°C (72-79°F). Low hardness (GH 2-12) and sub-acidic pH (6.0 - 7.2). Mandatory weekly partial water changes with tempered water.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Excellent inhabitant for small peaceful South American tanks. Compatible with small tetras (Paracheirodon, Nannostomus), dwarf loricariids (Otocinclus). Absolutely avoid predatory loaches and large cichlids.
Aquarium Breeding: Very complex. Stimulable by imitating rainy seasons (drastic thermal drops and ultra-protein diet). Eggs laid singly among lush mosses (Taxiphyllum). The long dorsal appendages of the males are used in the courtship ritual.
Risks and Diseases: Very high risk of fatal ulcerations to the whiskers if kept on sharp gravel. Severe sensitivity to Aeromonas pathologies on unhygienic bottoms (siphon regularly). Intolerant to copper treatments or preventive addition of salt.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Endemic to the Corantijn River basin in Suriname (South America). Inhabits slow, clear forest streams, on sandy bottoms partially covered by carpets of fallen leaves (leaf litter) in slow decomposition.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesAmazônia, Orinoco e Guianas
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of Corydoras filamentosus is incredibly peaceful, sociable, and somewhat shy when kept individually. They are an obligate schooling fish that absolutely requires the company of their own kind to feel secure and behave naturally. When kept in groups of at least six, they become active and highly entertaining as they constantly interact with one another. If kept alone or in inadequate numbers, they will likely become stressed, reclusive, and more susceptible to disease. They show zero aggression towards other tank inhabitants and are a model citizen for any peaceful community aquarium.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- In the wild, Corydoras filamentosus is a micro-predator and scavenger, feeding on tiny worms, crustaceans, and plant matter. In the home aquarium, they readily accept a wide variety of sinking foods such as high-quality pellets, wafers, and granules. It is essential to supplement their diet with live or frozen foods like bloodworms, Daphnia, and brine shrimp to ensure optimal health and coloration. Because they are bottom feeders, you must ensure that enough food reaches the substrate before being consumed by mid-water fish. A varied diet prevents nutritional deficiencies and promotes a robust immune system.
- Expectativa de vida
- 3-5 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 4.5 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Group
- For Corydoras filamentosus, maintaining a specific strict sex ratio is not strictly necessary for general community keeping, as they do not exhibit aggressive territorial behavior towards each other. However, if breeding is the primary goal, a ratio of two or three males for every single female is strongly recommended. This higher male-to-female ratio encourages competitive courtship and generally results in a higher fertilization rate for the eggs. In a standard display tank, simply ensuring they are in a suitably sized group of six or more individuals is more important than the exact gender makeup. Females are typically noticeably rounder and broader when viewed from above, especially when full of eggs.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- It is highly recommended to feed Corydoras filamentosus small portions one to two times a day. They have relatively small stomachs, so multiple small meals are much better than a single large one. Observe their feeding behavior carefully; all offered food should be consumed within roughly two to three minutes. If there is uneaten food left on the substrate, reduce the portion size during the next feeding. Foraging is a natural behavior, so spreading the food slightly can encourage natural scavenging activity.
- Carga biológica
- Low
- The bioload of Corydoras filamentosus is generally considered to be quite low compared to larger freshwater fish. They are small, efficient scavengers that do not produce excessive amounts of waste in the aquarium. However, because they must be kept in groups of at least six, the cumulative bioload should be factored into your filtration capacity. Regular water changes and good mechanical filtration are still necessary to maintain optimal water quality. Overfeeding can quickly spike ammonia, so moderation is key.
- Fluxo
- Stagnant
- As a species that often inhabits slow-moving to moderately flowing streams in South America, Corydoras filamentosus appreciates gentle to moderate water circulation. They do not fare well in highly turbulent environments where they must constantly struggle against strong currents. Providing areas of calmer water, especially near the bottom where they spend most of their time, is important for their rest. The filter return should provide adequate oxygenation without turning the tank into a whirlpool. Natural river stones and driftwood can be used to break the flow and create comfortable resting zones.
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- The jump risk for Corydoras filamentosus is generally considered to be quite low under normal, stress-free aquarium conditions. They are primarily bottom-dwelling fish that focus their activities on foraging in the substrate. However, like many Corydoras, they will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp atmospheric air, a completely normal behavior linked to their specialized intestinal respiratory system. If water parameters deteriorate or if they are severely startled, they might accidentally launch themselves out of an open tank. Therefore, a well-fitting lid is still highly recommended to prevent any unfortunate accidents.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding Corydoras filamentosus in captivity is entirely possible but requires some dedicated preparation and conditioning. They are egg scatterers, typically laying their adhesive eggs on broad plant leaves, aquarium glass, or smooth stones after a lively courtship display. To trigger spawning, aquarists often perform a large, slightly cooler water change to simulate the onset of the rainy season in their natural habitat. Once eggs are laid, the parents may eat them, so it is often necessary to remove the eggs or the adult fish to a separate rearing tank. The fry are quite small and require infusoria or finely powdered foods before graduating to freshly hatched brine shrimp.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Community
- Corydoras filamentosus is an extremely peaceful community fish that thrives in the company of other calm species. They should never be housed with large, aggressive, or highly active bottom-dwellers that might outcompete them for food or nip at their fins. Ideal tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, peaceful dwarf cichlids, and other similarly sized peaceful fish. Keeping them with small freshwater shrimp is usually safe, though tiny shrimplets might occasionally be eaten. Their peaceful nature makes them an excellent addition to almost any tranquil community setup.
- Nível do tanque
- Bottom
- Like the vast majority of its relatives, Corydoras filamentosus is a dedicated bottom-dwelling fish that spends most of its time resting or foraging on the substrate. They use their sensitive barbels to constantly sift through sand or fine gravel in search of edible morsels. Providing a soft, sandy substrate is crucial to prevent their delicate barbels from wearing down or becoming infected. While they do occasionally dart to the water surface to gulp air, they will immediately return to the lower levels of the tank. Ensure there is plenty of open swimming space along the bottom alongside shaded resting areas under plants or driftwood.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase v25.04Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3 ± 0,3 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.00741, b = 3.14
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
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