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Agassiz's Corydoras
Corydoras agassizii
📍 South America
Agassiz's Corydoras is a small, peaceful bottom-dwelling catfish native to South American rivers. These armored catfish are excellent scavengers that spend most of their time sifting through substrate in search of food. They are hardy, social fish that do best in groups and make an excellent addition to community aquariums.
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Care Guide
Diet
Agassiz's Corydoras are omnivorous bottom feeders that consume sinking pellets, algae wafers, and frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. Feed small amounts once or twice daily, ensuring food reaches the substrate where they forage. They will also consume leftover food from other fish, helping keep the tank clean.
Behavior
These catfish are nocturnal and crepuscular, most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours. They spend the majority of their time on the substrate, using their barbels to sift through sand and gravel searching for food. Agassiz's Corydoras are social fish that should be kept in groups of at least 4-6 individuals, as they exhibit schooling behavior and reduced stress in numbers.
Breeding
Breeding Agassiz's Corydoras in captivity is moderately difficult and requires specific conditions including cooler water temperatures (68-70°F), frequent water changes, and a well-established tank. Males will chase females in a characteristic T-position spawning behavior, and eggs are typically laid in small clusters on plants or tank surfaces. Fry are difficult to raise and require infusoria or liquid fry food initially.
Tank Mates
Small, peaceful schooling fish that occupy upper water column
Tiny, non-aggressive community fish with similar water requirements
Peaceful bottom dweller that shares similar habitat and feeding preferences
Peaceful mid-water dweller that won't compete with bottom feeders
Peaceful invertebrate that shares bottom habitat without aggression
Peaceful scavenger that coexists well with corydoras
Common Diseases
Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against substrate, lethargy
Raise temperature gradually to 82-86°F, use aquarium salt (1 teaspoon per 5 gallons), perform daily 25% water changes, treat with ich medication for 7-10 days
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy, loss of appetite
Perform 50% water change immediately, improve water quality with frequent changes, use antibacterial medication, ensure adequate aeration and remove sharp decorations
Barbel Erosion
Shortened or missing barbels, difficulty feeding, behavioral changes
Improve water quality with frequent changes, use sand substrate instead of sharp gravel, ensure adequate nutrition with varied diet, may be permanent but fish can adapt
Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)
White or grayish film on body, mouth rot, fin damage, rapid breathing, lethargy
Perform 50% water change, raise temperature to 80-82°F, use antibacterial medication, improve water quality, isolate affected fish if possible
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Quick Facts
- diet
- omnivore - sinking pellets, algae wafers, bloodworms, and vegetable matter
- lifespan
- 3-5 years
- max size
- 4 cm (1.5 in)
- tank size
- 20 gallons minimum
- temperament
- peaceful
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0-7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <20 ppm
- hardness
- 2-12 dGH
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)