Geryi Cory

About

Native to the Mamoré River basin in Bolivia, Corydoras geryi is one of the less frequently encountered members of a genus that currently counts over 180 described species. It sits toward the larger end of the cory size range and can live remarkably long for a small catfish, so this is genuinely a fish you could be keeping for decades. Like all corydoras, it carries two rows of bony plates along its flanks instead of scales, and those sharp pectoral fin spines can catch in nets or deliver a painful jab to unwary hands, so handle it carefully. One behavior that often surprises newcomers is the periodic dash to the surface to gulp air. This is completely normal, as corys have a modified intestine that allows them to extract oxygen from atmospheric air when needed. If you notice the trips to the surface becoming unusually frequent, that's worth investigating as a water quality signal rather than dismissing. Keep a group of at least six; lone or paired individuals tend to be shy and inactive. The tank should have soft substrate to protect the barbels, which are prone to infection in coarse or dirty conditions. Sinking foods are essential since these fish feed at the bottom and cannot be expected to compete for surface fare. No captive breeding records exist yet for this species specifically, though standard cory breeding methods would likely apply.