Zygatus Cory

About

A small armored catfish from the western Amazon basin, Corydoras zygatus goes by 'zygus cory' in the trade and is one of several look-alikes that can trip up even experienced hobbyists. The key to telling it apart from its closest doppelganger, C. rabauti, is straightforward once you know what to look for: the broad dark band along the upper body stops before it wraps down onto the caudal peduncle, whereas on rabauti that stripe continues ventrally onto the tail base. Like all corydoras, it belongs to the armored catfish family Callichthyidae, meaning its body is sheathed in bony plates rather than scales. One of its more unusual traits is facultative air-breathing: a highly vascularized section of intestine allows it to extract oxygen from gulped air, which is why you'll regularly see them dart to the surface and zip back down. Perfectly normal behavior, not a sign of distress. A word of caution when netting or handling them: the pectoral spines are sharp enough to pierce skin, and secretions from glands at the spine base are thought to be mildly venomous. Keep them in groups of at least six; they're noticeably more active and confident in larger numbers. Breeding is achievable but the fry can be delicate, and this species rewards patient, attentive keepers. With good conditions they can live for decades.