All fish / Callichthyidae

Black Sail Corydoras

Corydoras melanistius

Also known as black sail cory, bluespotted corydoras, melanistius cory, false bandit cory, black spotted cory, melanistus cory, コリドラス・メラニスティウス, 黑帆鼠鱼, 黑翅鼠

A small armoured catfish with a pale body covered in fine dark spots, a black band through the eye and a black patch at the front of the dorsal fin. It is kept for its calm, sociable nature and its habit of busily sifting sand for food in community tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Essequibo basin, Guyana; also reported from Venezuela and French Guiana

Breeding

An egg scatterer that sticks its eggs to glass and plants, often triggered by a large cool water change. It has been bred in home aquariums, though less often than the common corydoras, and the eggs should be moved away from the adults.

Good to know

Easily confused with Corydoras wotroi and other spotted, masked species, so trade fish may be mislabelled. Use soft sand and keep nitrate low to protect the sensitive barbels.