Loreto panda cory

About

Found in the slow, muddy-brown waters of the lower Río Putumayo in Peru, this small armored catfish, Corydoras ortegai, is one of the more compact members of its genus, topping out under two inches. It lives over clay and sand substrates in its natural habitat, and a soft, fine-grained substrate in the aquarium will keep its sensitive barbels in good shape. Like other corydoras, it is a facultative air breather, meaning it will periodically dart to the surface for a quick gulp of air. This is completely normal behavior, so just make sure there is adequate clearance between the waterline and the tank lid. One of the more endearing quirks of this genus is the ability to tilt the eye downward to scan the substrate, which looks remarkably like a blink and tends to catch observers off guard the first time they see it. This species is social and genuinely does better in groups. The larger the group, the more relaxed and active the fish will be. A well-kept group will spend their days methodically working over the bottom in search of food. Corydoras can be surprisingly long-lived, so keeping them well is a real commitment. They are best suited to hobbyists with some experience maintaining soft, clean, well-oxygenated water.