Northern longsnose cory

About

Found in the flowing spring waters of the Orinoco River basin in South America, Corydoras septentrionalis is one of those quietly fascinating catfish that rewards patient observation. It has a neat party trick shared across the cory family: it can gulp air at the surface and extract oxygen through the stomach lining, a handy adaptation for waters with variable oxygen levels. Make sure there's enough clearance under the lid so it can surface comfortably without knocking itself. If you want to tell this species apart from its two lookalikes, C. simulatus and C. amapaensis, check the caudal fin first. In septentrionalis it carries clear barring, while amapaensis has a plain transparent fin. It also has a third set of small barbels near the mouth that simulatus lacks. Like all corydoras, this is a thoroughly peaceful fish that does best in groups of at least six; a lone individual will be noticeably shyer and less active than one kept with companions. It mixes well with small characins, dwarf cichlids, and other calm community fish, but shouldn't share a tank with anything large or aggressive enough to harass it. Captive breeding is undocumented for this particular species, though general cory methods are likely applicable. With proper care, these little catfish can live remarkably long lives, sometimes well into their second decade.