All fish / Callichthyidae

Pygmy Aspidoras

Aspidoras lakoi

Also known as aspidoras cory-cat, pygmy aspidoras, lako's aspidoras, aspidoras lakoi cory, pygmy cory aspidoras, aspidoras catfish, アスピドラス・ラコイ, 拉科侏儒鼠

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This is a small armoured catfish that looks like a slim Corydoras. Its pale tan body carries rows of dark blotches, and the dorsal fin has a dark mark. Keepers like it for its tiny size and busy shoaling behaviour along the bottom of planted community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

3 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

54 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: small sinking pellets, micro wafers, frozen and live bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Brazil: upper Paraná and São Francisco basins and nearby headwaters (Goiás, Minas Gerais)

Breeding

It scatters adhesive eggs on plants and glass in the same way as Corydoras, often after a cool water change. Spawning in captivity happens now and then but is not regular, and the very small fry need infusoria and microworms.

Good to know

It needs clean, well-oxygenated water with gentle flow and soft sand to protect its barbels. It is easy to confuse with other small Aspidoras species, and many fish sold under this name are wrongly identified.