Mario's cory

About

Found in the western Amazon basin in Rondônia, Brazil, Corydoras pinheiroi is a small armored catfish that rarely shows up in the hobby despite being a genuinely rewarding species to keep. It closely resembles the more familiar C. sterbai in its patterning but can be told apart by the absence of orange coloration on the pectoral spines. Like all corydoras, this species is a facultative air-breather, meaning it will periodically dart to the surface to gulp air. A normal behavior that surprises many newcomers but is nothing to worry about. Leave a reasonable gap between the waterline and the tank lid so they can do this comfortably. Corydoras pinheiroi is thoroughly peaceful and works well in community setups alongside small characins, dwarf cichlids, and similarly sized peaceful fish. Avoid housing it with anything large or aggressive. These fish genuinely thrive in groups. A half-dozen or more will be noticeably more active and confident than a pair kept alone. They also have an endearing quirk of tilting their eyes downward to inspect the substrate, which tends to catch people off guard the first time they see it. No captive breeding records exist for this species specifically, though general corydoras breeding methods would likely apply. Given a potential lifespan stretching into the teens and beyond, this is a long-term commitment.