Schwartz's Cory

About

Schwartz's catfish (Corydoras schwartzi) is a compact, armored catfish native to the Purus River basin in Brazil, where it lives alongside other small fish in warm, soft to moderately hard waters. Like all corydoras, it carries two rows of bony plates down each side of its body rather than scales. A feature that gives the genus its name, rooted in Greek words for helmet and armor. It has a pale base coloration marked with darker patterning on the head and body, and a fairly short snout typical of the broader corydoras group. One of the more endearing quirks you will notice is the occasional dart to the surface to gulp air. This is completely normal. Corydoras have a modified, highly vascularized section of intestine that lets them extract oxygen from the atmosphere, which helps them cope when dissolved oxygen dips low. This species is fully peaceful and works well in community setups alongside small characins, cyprinids, anabantoids, and dwarf cichlids. Like all corys, it should be kept in a group of at least six. They are noticeably bolder and more active with conspecifics around. Be aware that their pectoral fin spines can catch in nets and deliver a sharp poke, so handle with care. Breeding is possible but takes patience, as this species can be tricky to induce into spawning compared to more commonly bred corys.