All fish / Callichthyidae

Spotted Cory

Corydoras ambiacus

Also known as ambiacus cory, spotted corydoras, ambiacus catfish, false agassizi cory, corydoras ambiacus, コリドラス・アンビアクス, 斑点鼠鱼

A sturdy armoured catfish with a pale silvery body covered in small dark spots and a dark blotch at the base of the dorsal fin. It is kept for its busy, sociable habits as it sifts through sand for food, and it gets along with most small community fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 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, catfish tablets, bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Colombia and Brazil

Breeding

It spawns in the typical cory way: the female holds the eggs between her pelvic fins and sticks them to glass or plants, often after a cool water change. Breeding happens now and then in captivity but is less common than with bronze or peppered corys.

Good to know

Sellers often mix it up with Corydoras agassizii and similar spotted species, so identifications at shops can be wrong. Give it soft sand rather than sharp gravel, which can damage the barbels.