Agassiz's Corydoras

Agassiz's Corydoras key facts

Care level

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

5-8 years

Size

5.2-7cm

Temperature

22〜27℃

Diet

Sinking dried foods, frozen bloodworm, Tubifex

Tank

Use fine rounded sand, keep it scrupulously clean, and never block access to the water surface.

Water Temperature & Quality

22-27C, pH 6.0-8.0, 2-12dGH. FishBase records 22-26C, pH 6.0-8.0 and 2-25dH in the wild.

Tank Mates

Peaceful and gregarious; keep at least four to six. It mixes well with peaceful small and medium-sized fishes.

Diet & Feeding

A foraging omnivore. Offer sinking dried food plus frozen bloodworm and Tubifex. It must never be expected to live on leftovers or to clean the tank.

Breeding & Spawning

Use two males per female. Once females are gravid, make a 50-70 percent water change with cooler water and raise oxygenation and flow. Eggs are laid on glass, fine-leaved plants or spawning mops.

Health & Notes

Assessed Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. The name is commonly misapplied to similar-looking fishes, so a fish sold under it may not be this species. It is still traded under its former name Corydoras agassizii, so search under both scientific names. Apistogramma agassizii, a dwarf cichlid, is an entirely different fish.

About Agassiz's Corydoras

A small Corydoras from the middle Amazon, with a pale, spotted body and a black-tipped dorsal fin. Calm and easy to keep, it's a great choice for beginner aquarists.

7 things to know before welcoming a Agassiz's Corydoras

1. 1Rows of spots, dark dorsal fin

   Its defining feature is rows of small brown spots on a pale body. Only the front three dorsal fin rays are black while the rest stay whitish, giving it a striking look in motion.

2. 2Easily confused with relatives

   Several closely related species look very similar, and this group is known for being genuinely hard to tell apart even for experts. Checking photos and labeling before purchase helps avoid confusion.

3. 3Best kept in a group

   Corydoras naturally form loose schools, so keeping several together tends to help them settle in and feel secure. Adding multiple individuals is preferable to a single fish.

4. 4Choose soft, rounded substrate

   It forages along the bottom using its barbels, so a fine, rounded substrate such as smooth sand helps prevent irritation or damage to them.

5. 5Peaceful and community-friendly

   Its calm temperament means it rarely bothers tankmates, making it well suited to a peaceful community tank. It spends most of its time in the lower zone of the aquarium.

6. 6Ease into water changes gradually

   While generally hardy and easy to keep, it can be sensitive to sudden shifts in temperature or water chemistry. Take time with drip acclimation when introducing it to a new tank.

7. 7Cycle the tank before arrival

   Introducing it into a freshly set up tank can be stressful, so it's best to let the filter cycle and water parameters stabilize before bringing one home.

Frequently asked questions about Agassiz's Corydoras

Q.How big does it grow as an adult?

A.It reaches roughly 5.2 to 7 cm as an adult, a fairly typical small size for Corydoras that suits small to medium-sized tanks.

Q.Is it suitable for beginners?

A.It's classified as beginner-friendly. As long as basic water quality care is maintained, it's manageable even for those new to the hobby.

Q.Can it be kept alone?

A.Keeping a single fish is possible, but since Corydoras prefer company, keeping several together generally helps them feel more settled.

Q.Can it live with other fish?

A.Yes, its peaceful temperament makes it compatible with other calm, similarly sized tropical fish, and it mostly stays near the bottom, which reduces overlap with other tankmates.

Q.Are there any legal restrictions on keeping it?

A.Agassiz's Corydoras is not listed under CITES, the international agreement regulating trade in endangered species.

Useful tools for Agassiz's Corydoras care

Learn more about Agassiz's Corydoras in the encyclopedia

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