Pink Corydoras
Corydoras axelrodi
A long-lived Colombian cory with variable striping and a surprisingly complex identity.
About
The pink corydoras (Corydoras axelrodi) is a small armored catfish from the Meta River basin in Colombia, and it comes with more complexity than its modest size suggests. Like all members of the Callichthyidae family, it carries rows of bony plates instead of scales, and the stiffened spines at the base of its pectoral fins can pierce skin painfully, so handle with care during net transfers. One of the more interesting things about this species is how variable it looks. Individuals can carry anywhere from one to three dark lateral stripes along each flank, which has caused genuine confusion in the hobby. It trades alongside lookalikes such as C. loxozonus and two undescribed forms coded C003 and CW021, and all four have been lumped together under the made-up trade name C. 'deckeri' at various points. Identifying them requires close attention to stripe placement and continuity. Behaviorally, these fish are classic corydoras. Peaceful, social, and most comfortable in a group of at least four to six. They will occasionally dart to the surface to gulp air, which is completely normal; they have a modified intestine that can extract oxygen from air, an adaptation to low-oxygen environments. Given good conditions, axelrodi can live remarkably long lives for such a small fish, making a proper group worth the investment.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Pink Corydoras
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Pink Corydoras get?
- The Pink Corydoras reaches about 1–2" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Pink Corydoras need?
- A minimum of 20 gallons is recommended for the Pink Corydoras, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Pink Corydoras need?
- The Pink Corydoras does best with a temperature of 72–79°F, a pH of 5–8, hardness around 1–25 dGH.
- Is the Pink Corydoras aggressive?
- The Pink Corydoras is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Pink Corydoras eat?
- The Pink Corydoras is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.
- How long does the Pink Corydoras live?
- With good care, the Pink Corydoras typically lives 15-25 years.