Bolivian Cory

About

Native to the Madeira River basin in Bolivia, Corydoras bilineatus is a small armored catfish that brings a lot of personality to the bottom of a freshwater tank. Like other members of the cory family, it is a facultative air-breather, meaning it regularly darts to the surface to gulp atmospheric oxygen directly into its stomach, where a thin-walled region allows gas exchange. This is perfectly normal behavior, but it does mean you want a decent gap between the water surface and your tank lid to avoid the fish knocking itself on the glass mid-dash. One of the more endearing quirks of this species is its ability to move its eyes independently, tilting them downward to inspect the substrate below. Something that tends to catch new keepers completely off guard the first time they see it. Cories in general are social animals, and this species is no different: a lone individual will be shy and inactive, while a group of six or more becomes noticeably bolder and far more interesting to watch. With reported lifespans stretching well beyond a decade under good conditions, this is genuinely a long-term commitment. Care is manageable, though the species appreciates clean, well-oxygenated water and soft substrate that won't damage its sensitive barbels.