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Adolfo's Corydoras
Corydoras adolfoi
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Callichthyidae
📍 South America
One of the most striking corydoras, adolfo's corydoras has a vivid orange patch behind the head on a white body with a bold black stripe. It requires softer, more acidic water than many corydoras and is a prized species among collectors.
Care Guide
Diet
Adolfo's Corydoras are omnivores that require a varied diet of sinking foods. Offer high-quality sinking pellets as a staple, supplemented 3-4 times weekly with frozen foods like bloodworms, micro worms, and daphnia. Feed small amounts once daily, removing uneaten food after 2-3 hours to maintain water quality.
Behavior
These peaceful bottom-dwellers are active foragers that spend most of their time sifting through substrate in search of food. They are schooling fish and become stressed when kept alone; maintain groups of at least 6 individuals for natural behavior and reduced anxiety. They are nocturnal and most active during dawn and dusk hours.
Breeding
Breeding Adolfo's Corydoras in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved by hobbyists. They require very specific conditions including soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5), cooler temperatures around 22°C, and seasonal temperature fluctuations to trigger spawning. Success requires patience, experience, and careful water parameter management.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful temperament, and preference for soft acidic water make them ideal companions
Small, peaceful mid-water swimmers that won't compete for bottom space and tolerate soft acidic conditions
Peaceful schooling fish with compatible water parameter requirements
Small invertebrates that occupy different ecological niches and prefer similar soft water conditions
Closely related species with similar care requirements and peaceful temperament; can be housed together
Peaceful but prefer slightly warmer water; monitor compatibility as they may compete for space
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, rubbing against substrate, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 28-30°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication if needed; maintain excellent water quality
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Perform 50% water change immediately, improve water quality and aeration, use antibacterial medication if severe; ensure pristine tank conditions
Barbel Erosion
Deterioration or loss of barbels (whisker-like sensory organs), reduced foraging behavior
Improve water quality and reduce ammonia/nitrite, use fine sand substrate instead of sharp gravel, ensure adequate nutrition with varied diet
Bacterial Infection
Sores on body, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, torn fins
Perform large water changes, maintain optimal water parameters, use broad-spectrum antibacterial medication; isolate severely affected individuals
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – sinking foods, bloodworms, micro worms, daphnia
- lifespan
- 5–10 years
- max size
- 5.5 cm (2.2 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- school size
- 6+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <10 ppm
- hardness
- 1–8 dGH
- temperature
- 72–79°F (22–26°C)