Long-nosed Cory
Corydoras semiaquilis
A peaceful bottom-dweller from Peru that thrives in sociable groups.
About
A long-nosed cory from the western Amazon basin, Corydoras semiaquilis is native to softwater streams and rivers straddling the Peru-Brazil border. Like all corydoras, it belongs to the armoured catfish group. Rather than scales, it carries two rows of bony plates along its flanks, giving it a distinctive, almost prehistoric look. It is a committed bottom-dweller, spending most of its time nosing along the substrate in search of food, and should always be offered sinking foods rather than being left to survive on whatever drifts down from above. Keep the substrate clean and smooth, as these fish are prone to barbel infections if conditions deteriorate. Corydoras semiaquilis is thoroughly peaceful with other species, and its small size makes it a good fit for community tanks with similarly sized, non-aggressive fish. Small characins, cyprinids, and other calm catfish all work well as companions. It does best in groups of at least six, becoming noticeably more active and confident with conspecifics around. One thing to be aware of with this particular species: males can show some low-level squabbling among themselves, though in a properly sized tank with enough space this rarely causes any real harm. You may also find colour variants in the trade sold under informal names. They are all the same species.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Long-nosed Cory
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What size tank does the Long-nosed Cory need?
- A minimum of 2 gallons is recommended for the Long-nosed Cory, with more room needed for a proper group.
- What water parameters does the Long-nosed Cory need?
- The Long-nosed Cory does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 6–7.5, hardness around 1–12 dGH.
- Is the Long-nosed Cory aggressive?
- The Long-nosed Cory is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Long-nosed Cory eat?
- The Long-nosed Cory is an omnivore. It does well on a varied diet of quality flake or pellet plus occasional frozen or live foods.