Smudge spot cory

About

Found in the Madeira River basin of South America, Corydoras similis is one of well over 180 described species in a genus that has captivated fishkeepers for generations. Like all corydoras, it belongs to the armored catfish group, sporting two rows of bony plates along its flanks rather than conventional scales. And those sharp pectoral fin spines are worth knowing about when netting or handling the fish. One of the more unusual things you'll notice is the occasional dash to the surface for a gulp of air. This is completely normal: corydoras possess a modified, highly vascularized section of intestine that lets them extract oxygen directly from the atmosphere, a handy adaptation when water conditions are poor. If surface visits become very frequent, though, treat it as a signal to check your water quality. In the aquarium, C. similis is thoroughly peaceful and does well in community setups with similarly sized, non-aggressive tankmates. The key care point most people overlook is group size. A minimum of six is genuinely important, not just a suggestion. A lone cory or a pair will be shy and withdrawn; a proper group is visibly more active and confident. Feed with sinking foods to make sure they're actually getting enough to eat, and keep the substrate clean, as barbel infections are a real risk in neglected setups.