All fish / Callichthyidae

Blacktop Corydoras

Corydoras acutus

Also known as blacktop cory, black top cory, acutus cory, long-nosed corydoras, corydoras acutus, コリドラス・アクトゥス, 尖头鼠鱼

A long-snouted armoured catfish with a plain greyish-tan body and a distinctive black blotch on the dorsal fin. It is kept by catfish enthusiasts for its peaceful nature and busy foraging over soft sand.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets and wafers, bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Brazil and Ecuador

Breeding

It is an egg scatterer that sticks eggs to glass and plants, similar to other long-nosed Corydoras. Captive spawning is rarely reported and is considered difficult; cooler water changes may trigger it.

Good to know

Use fine sand and keep the water clean, as the barbels are easily damaged. It is often confused with Corydoras narcissus and other long-snouted species with black dorsal fins.