Fish
Adolfo's Cory
Corydoras adolfoi
Origin: Adolfo's cory is endemic to the upper Rio Negro in northern Brazil. It lives in very soft, acidic blackwater of forest tributaries with sandy beds, driftwood, and a thick layer of leaf litter.
Also known as: Corydoras adolfoi
Fact sheet
- Size
- 5 cm
- Lifespan
- 7 years
- Minimum tank size
- 80 L
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
- pH
- 5–7
- Hardness GH
- 1–10 °dH
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Schooling
- Group size
- 6+ individuals
- Swimming zone
- Bottom
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Jumps out
- No
- Eats plants
- No
Overview
Adolfo's cory is an elegant and very popular armoured catfish with a contrasting pattern: a white body, a black stripe along the back, and an orange patch on the nape. It is a peaceful bottom fish kept in a group of at least 6. The species is a little more demanding than its hardier relatives: it likes soft, clean, slightly acidic water. With good care it is a hardy, long-lived resident of a community tank with small peaceful fish.
Appearance
The body is white with a faint pinkish sheen, up to 5 cm long. A black mask crosses the eyes, a broad black stripe runs along the back, and between them, on the nape, glows a bright orange-red patch. This orange patch distinguishes adolfoi from the similar Corydoras duplicareus. Females are larger and fuller.
Care
A tank of at least 80 L with soft sandy substrate, driftwood, and shade. Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 5.0–7.0, hardness GH 1–10 — soft, slightly acidic water. Clean water, good filtration, and regular water changes are needed. Peat filtration and almond leaves bring out the colour and recreate the biotope.
Feeding
An omnivorous bottom catfish. It takes sinking tablets and pellets, live or frozen bloodworm, daphnia, cyclops, and tubifex. A varied diet keeps the orange patch vivid. Feed once or twice daily, making sure food reaches the bottom.
Compatibility
A peaceful schooling fish for a soft-water community tank. Excellent with characins, small rasboras, dwarf cichlids, and shrimp. Large or aggressive tankmates are unsuitable. Keep in groups of at least 6.
Breeding
Breeding is possible but needs very soft, acidic water. Trigger spawning with a cool water change. The female carries the eggs in a pelvic-fin 'pouch' and sticks them to plants and glass. Remove the adults; the fry hatch in 4–5 days.
Fun facts
The species is named after the Brazilian fish collector Adolfo Schwartz. For a long time adolfoi was confused with Corydoras duplicareus — they are told apart by the shape and colour of the back stripe. Like all corydoras it breathes through the gut, gulping air at the surface.