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Narcissus Corydoras
Corydoras narcissus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Callichthyidae
📍 South America
Narcissus corydoras is a large, long-snouted species with a pale body and subtle spot patterning. It belongs to the long-nosed group of corydoras and commands premium prices among collectors. It prefers soft, acidic water and cooler temperatures.
Care Guide
Diet
Narcissus corydoras are omnivores that require a varied diet of sinking pellets, frozen foods (tubifex worms, bloodworms, brine shrimp), and occasional vegetable matter. Feed small amounts once daily, only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, as they are bottom feeders that scavenge uneaten food. Supplement with quality sinking catfish pellets to ensure proper nutrition.
Behavior
This peaceful, schooling species is most active during dawn and dusk, spending much of the day foraging along the substrate with its characteristic long snout. They are social fish that should be kept in groups of at least 5-6 individuals to reduce stress and encourage natural schooling behavior. They rarely interact aggressively with other species but may be outcompeted for food by faster feeders.
Breeding
Breeding Narcissus corydoras in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require very specific conditions including soft, acidic water (pH 5.5-6.5), cooler temperatures (20-22°C), and seasonal temperature fluctuations to trigger spawning. Success requires patience, experience, and careful water parameter management.
Tank Mates
Similar size, peaceful bottom-dweller, compatible water parameters
Small, peaceful mid-water swimmer, prefers soft acidic water like corydoras
Peaceful schooling fish, thrives in soft acidic water, non-aggressive
Peaceful dwarf cichlid, similar temperature preference, bottom-dwelling compatible
Small invertebrate, peaceful, benefits from similar soft water conditions
Larger shrimp less likely to be eaten, peaceful algae grazer, compatible parameters
Common Diseases
Barbel Erosion (Snout Rot)
Deterioration or erosion of the long snout/barbels, white patches on face, reduced feeding
Improve water quality, increase water changes, ensure soft substrate (sand), provide quality diet with vitamin supplementation
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Small white spots on body and fins, scratching against substrate, labored breathing
Raise temperature gradually to 28°C, perform daily 25% water changes, use ich medication if severe; maintain excellent water quality
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fins, discoloration at fin edges, lethargy
Perform frequent water changes, improve water quality, remove sharp decorations, use antibacterial medication if secondary infection suspected
Bacterial Infection
Open sores, cloudy eyes, loss of appetite, color fading
Maintain pristine water conditions with frequent changes, quarantine affected fish, use broad-spectrum antibacterial treatment if necessary
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Quick Facts
- diet
- Omnivore – sinking pellets, frozen foods, tubifex
- lifespan
- 8–12 years
- max size
- 9 cm (3.5 in)
- tank size
- 30 gallons minimum
- school size
- 5+
- temperament
- Peaceful, schooling
Water it likes
- ph
- 5.5–7.0
- ammonia
- 0 ppm
- nitrate
- <15 ppm
- hardness
- 1–10 dGH
- temperature
- 68–77°F (20–25°C)