All fish / Callichthyidae

Blue Cory

Corydoras nattereri

Also known as blue corydoras, natterer's catfish, natterer's cory, blue cat, nattereri cory, corydoras natereri, コリドラス・ナッテリー, 娜塔鼠, 蓝鼠鱼, 纳氏鼠

A small armoured catfish with a pale body that shows a bluish to greenish sheen and a dark stripe along the flank. It is kept for its calm, sociable nature and its habit of sifting the substrate in groups, and it suits cooler community tanks better than many tropical corys.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

20 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 and other small live or frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Coastal river basins of south-eastern Brazil (Espírito Santo to Paraná)

Breeding

Like other corys it lays sticky eggs on glass or plants after the typical T-position mating, often triggered by a cool water change. Spawning is fairly achievable in captivity, though the adults will eat eggs, so these are best moved to a separate container to hatch.

Good to know

It prefers slightly cooler water than most corys, so avoid keeping it permanently above about 26°C. Use soft sand to protect the barbels, and note that captive-bred and wild fish may differ a little in pattern.