All fish / Callichthyidae

Wavy Catfish

Corydoras undulatus

Also known as wavy cory, wavy corydoras, undulatus cory, c. undulatus, corydoras undulata, コリドラス・ウンドゥラートゥス, 波纹鼠鱼

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A small armoured catfish with a pale greyish body covered in fine dark wavy lines and spots, giving a marbled look. It comes from cooler subtropical waters, so it is a good choice for unheated or lightly heated community tanks, and keepers enjoy its busy, sociable foraging over the substrate.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

4.5 cm

Temperature

18 to 25 °C

pH

6 to 7.5

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Group of 6 or more

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Lower Paraná and Uruguay river basins and coastal drainages of southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina

Breeding

It breeds much like other Corydoras: females carry the eggs and stick them to glass or plants after the typical T-position spawning, often set off by a cooler water change. It is fairly easy to spawn in captivity, and the eggs or adults should be separated to stop the eggs being eaten.

Good to know

Use soft sand or smooth gravel to protect the sensitive barbels, and avoid keeping it constantly warm as it prefers subtropical temperatures. It is often confused with similar marbled species such as Corydoras paleatus and relatives, so check fish carefully when buying.