Spotted Cory - Corydoras punctatus

The Spotted Corydoras, sometimes also called Dotted Corydoras, is also a Corydoras that originates from South America. He is the first scientifically described armored catfish, which also enriches the aquaristics for a long time. Corydoras punctatus, as it is also called, has a yellow-gray ground color, on which there are many small spots, the size of which decreases from the head over the back. The fins are almost all translucent, the caudal fin is striped, in the back and adipose fin there is a black spot each. The ventral side is pale and unpatterned. On the mouth are the pairs of barbels typical of armored catfish. It is assumed that the color intensity and density of the spots is intensified by a dark substrate.

You get our Corydoras punctatus mixed-sex.

When fully grown, the females can be distinguished from the males mainly in terms of body fullness. At a final size of about 6.5 cm the animals are fully grown. Also the males differ from the females with their rather pointed and extended dorsal fin. Breeding in the aquarium is possible, but a bit more complex and requires soft water changes and sometimes strong temperature changes to demonstrate the rainy season, which is common in nature. Large feedings of live and frozen food can be used to stimulate the animals to mate. The use of a spawning tank is beneficial to separate the parents from their spawn. The female sticks her eggs to the undersides of leaves and other smooth surfaces. In a community aquarium, successful breeding tends to be a matter of chance. Juveniles of the Spotted Catfish can be fed freshly hatched Artemia nauplii.

In their habitat Spotted Corys inhabit river arms of the Surinam and are also found in the Iracoubo Basin in French Guyana. Here they prefer mainly shallow and soft to medium hard waters with fine-grained and rather silty bottoms, where they occur in groups. As gut breathers, they always need access to the water surface, which they visit at regular intervals to take up oxygen with their mouths.

These sociable animals should be kept in groups if possible, otherwise they may feel lonely and care. Therefore we recommend to keep them in aquariums with at least 6 partners. This aquarium from 60 cmedge length should be equipped with a very fine bottom ground, ideally Sandideally, so that the Spotted Corydoras do not injure their sensitive whiskers when burrowing. They also like shady areas, which you can create with fine planting or Floating plants can create, as well as with less bright aquarium lighting. Roots and rocks can be used to create many hiding places for the Corydoras. Good water hygiene contributes greatly to the well-being of these handsome animals. In soft to medium hard water with a total hardness (GH) of 2 to 18 °dGH, as well as a pH value between 6.5 and 7.5 the Spotted Catfish feel most comfortable. The water temperature can be between 22 and 26 °C, so they can spend the summer at room temperature.

These small South Americans can be well socialized, also with other Corydoras, whereby different species form quite separate groups in the aquarium. As bottom dwellers they are ideal for so called black water aquariums or amazon tanks and as very peaceful by-fish they are also compatible for Angelfish, live-bearing Toothcarps tetras and danios. With dwarf crayfish and crayfish they should rather not be socialized, since these inhabit the same water zone and therefore it can come to arguments. With well reproducing dwarf shrimp species the Spotted Catfish gets along well, but it can happen that a very cheeky shrimp baby is eaten.

Spotted Catfish are omnivores, preferring animal food above all. In the aquarium they can be fed without problems with commercially available bottom tablets, food tablets, but also with flake food or granulated food. From time to time they are happy about a variety in the form of live or frozen food, such as black mosquito larvae, Artemia or also Enchyträen.

Our food recommendation: The NatureHolic Catfish Feed for all sucking catfish in the aquarium is a well-balanced tablet food, which does not cloud the water and the fish like to eat. The catfish tablets also contain NatureHolic complexes of active ingredients that provide sucker catfish with everything they need for a strong immune system, healthy growth and great, contrasting coloration.

Our plant recommendation: Use for planting NatureHolic InVitros. These are free of snails, planarians and other unwanted co-inhabitants. Also free of algae spores, bacteria and fungi.

Expert Tip: We recommend for fish keeping the NatureHolic 3 Phase Liquid. The care set offers the best all-round protection for your animals. It ensures optimal conditions for successful breeding and keeping.