All fish / Callichthyidae

Reticulated Corydoras

Corydoras reticulatus

Also known as reticulated cory, network catfish, mosaic corydoras, reticulated catfish, network cory, mosaic cory, reticulatus cory, コリドラス・レティキュラータス, 网纹鼠鱼, 网纹兵鲶

A stocky armoured catfish with a pale body covered in a fine dark net-like pattern on the head and a black blotch on the dorsal fin. People keep it for its striking markings, its calm nature and the way a group sifts busily through soft sand all day.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

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 and wafers, bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia and small worms

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Upper Amazon basin in Peru, Brazil and Colombia (Rio Nanay, Rio Ampiyacu and nearby rivers)

Breeding

It spawns in the usual Corydoras way: a male and female form a T-position and the female sticks eggs onto glass or plants, often after a large cool water change. Captive breeding is done regularly but less often than with common species, and the fry grow well in clean, mature water.

Good to know

Use soft sand and keep nitrate low, as barbels wear down on sharp gravel and in dirty water. It looks very like C. sodalis, and the two are often mixed up in shops.