Peru black cory

About

Found in the western Amazon River basin, this obscure corydoras, Corydoras semiaquilus, shares the endearing personality and social nature that make the whole Corydoras genus so appealing to freshwater keepers. Like its relatives, it is a schooling fish that genuinely benefits from the company of its own kind. Keep at least a small group, and you will notice the fish behave more confidently and spend more time out in the open. One of the more unusual traits this species shares with other corydoras is facultative air breathing: you will occasionally see individuals dart to the surface for a quick gulp of air, which is entirely normal and not a sign of trouble. Just make sure there is adequate space between the waterline and the hood to prevent the fish from bumping themselves during these trips up. Corydoras also have the remarkable ability to tilt their eyes downward to inspect the substrate below them, and watching a group root around the bottom of a well-planted tank is genuinely entertaining. This species can live for well over a decade with good care, so it is a real long-term commitment. An intermediate care rating reflects mostly the need to maintain clean, well-oxygenated water rather than any dramatic behavioral challenges.